Here’s a letter from Richard Willacy, Associate Artistic Director of Birmingham Opera who are holding their open day this Sunday coinciding with the all-new Sunday Flea.

You are invited to an Open Day on Sunday, 18th May from 12.00pm - 4.00pm at The Gallery, Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Birmingham, B9 4AA. We would like you to come along and please bring as many of your friends as you like. It would be great if you could spend some time with us between 2-4pm but if that’s not convenient then please feel free to come at any time you can. If you have any questions please call us on 0121 246 6644.

As well as welcoming individuals, if you are part of a group then we can arrange a time to welcome your group, find out about you and tell you about our work. Just call the office on 0121 246 6644 and we’ll sort out a time together.

There will be a rolling programme of short ‘taster sessions’ with introductory talks and discussions on Opera and the Company from Graham Vick, Artistic Director and international opera director; Stuart Nunn, designer, will be speaking about the design process. Jacopo Spirei, Assistant Director and I will also be there. There will be short informal singing workshops led by Genevieve Sylva and Ben Kennedy and short movement workshops led by international choreographer Ron Howell which you can join in with - though not compulsory!! - and short performances from soprano, Donna Bateman. So if you can spare just 10 minutes to say hello or 90 minutes to have a go at everything then just turn up and join in! Or if you wish, pop in and ask the creative team questions on our forthcoming production of Mozart’s Idomeneo which will be staged in August 2008. And if you fancy a bit of bargain browsing then the Custard Factory Flea Market will also be in full flow from 11am to 4pm. So do come along.