Message from Paul Need:

It is almost 10 years to the month when Co-Opera was gathering for its first Season of La Boheme and Albert Herring. Due to one thing or another, sadly I have today filled out the form to close Co-Opera Co. the charity and the business will no longer exist. We Produced 12 amazing productions, toured some wonderful venues and made a lot of new friends. This forum, which has gone from a handful of colleagues to over 12,000 members will, carry on. I can think of a couple of Co-opera Co Weddings also. A big thank you to all who shared the journey with Kate Flowers and me.. Thank you

Co-Opera Co. was founded in 2008 by soprano Kate Flowers and lighting designer Paul Need to fill vacuum left by the closures of Kent Opera and the New D’Oyly Carte, companies which used to opportunities for singers fresh out of college.

Unusually, the company ran an effective training programme alongside its busy touring schedule.

Kate and Paul are owed a huge debt of gratitude for their efforts down the years, and a good few tears.