The fat lady has finally sung for a Tayside opera company following an illustrious 55-year history.
Dwindling numbers have forced the Perth City Operatic Group to bring the curtain down on a half-century of entertainment for Fair City audiences.
The group — one of two opera companies in Perth — had to cancel its final show last autumn and was unable to form a committee at its annual general meeting in the spring.
Members have now agreed to fold. However, they intend to go out with a bang by donating thousands of pounds to local charities.
Spokesperson Holly Cammidge said: “It is with great sadness that we have had to announce the closure of Perth City Operatic Group — a charity which has been a part of Perth’s performing arts scene since 1964 and welcomed many audiences over the years.
“The group had always done well but we were going year to year on the edge by the end, not sure if the show would be able to keep going.”
The group raised a five figure amount to put on a production of HMS Pinafore last September at the North Inch Community Campus.
However, the show had to be cancelled when the lead actor suffering a bereavement, leaving the money untouched.
The committee are planning a final curtain party next month in Perth, and will share out the prize pot among three local performing charities, voted for my members.
The group used to put on a major show once a year but Holly said the pressures had become too great for the remaining organisers.
She said: “We had also recently tried to put on a production at Perth Theatre, like our sister organisation Perth Amateur Operatic Society have managed, but it proved too expensive.
“At our AGM in March, we couldn’t get enough people to form a committee so the group had to stop.
“We would like to thank our audiences and members over the years for their support.”
A final farewell party for Perth City Operatic Group will take place on September 6 at 7.30pm at the Tulloch Institute in Perth.
All past members and their friends and families are invited to help the group celebrate the last 55 years.
