Opera

Baroness Blake of Leeds Excerpts

Tuesday 10th December 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

My Lords, I thank my noble friend Lord Murphy for a very personal introduction to the debate—I am sure we all valued that, and we have continued in that vein—but, most importantly, for initiating this important debate on a subject close to my heart. I became a board member of Opera North way back in 2002 and have watched its progress with enormous interest, and I put culture into my portfolio when I was leader of Leeds City Council. I thank all noble Lords from all sides of the House for their thoughtful contributions. I will not be able to answer all the points raised—12 minutes is just not going to be long enough. I am so sorry. If there is anything in particular I do not cover, I will of course write to noble Lords to give the detail.

First, it is important to emphasise the points that were brought out about the value of opera and the contribution it makes to our cultural life. It is, as we have heard, an entirely unique art form, telling stories in an extraordinary way. I will not bore noble Lords with my own favourite examples, but I think we can say that opera represents one of the high points of all human achievement, and government should be proud to support it. I echo the comments from the noble Lord, Lord Thomas—“Wow”—I think it just goes to show what we are talking about.

Let me also reassure noble Lords that the Government are not ignorant of the economic challenges faced by this sector, given that so many points have been raised by noble Lords today. As well as noting the challenges, we are all determined to ensure that arts and culture are no longer the preserve of a privileged few. As we have heard tonight, we need to reject the tired misconceptions and prejudice, particularly about opera and its supposed exclusivity. We all know the role that opera can play and the contribution it can make across society. We also know that opera is undoubtably an economic asset on national level, making up part of the cultural sector’s extraordinary £34.6 billion contribution to the UK’s gross value added.

Opera’s impact goes further, however, and I will highlight a few examples. To pick up on the comment made by the noble Lord, Lord Parkinson, yes, I believe in social prescribing, and I recognise the ENO’s Breathe project, which links opera to those recovering from Covid—a very interesting piece of work. Opera North has a really successful music education programme called In Harmony, which in October saw a record number of 12 schools participating, with over 3,200 pupils benefiting each week from the high-quality provision and performance opportunities. Half of those participating receive free school meals.

We have also heard a great deal about the contribution that the Welsh National Opera makes at the heart of Welsh communities. Its take-part initiatives include Cradle, an intergenerational project focused on dementia, which enriches both the older people and the children who participate. I noted in particular the comments made by the noble Lord, Lord Aberdare, on children’s education, and the wonderful examples given by my noble friend Lady McIntosh of opera speaking in many voices.

We know that in recent years the most significant direct government support for opera has come through higher rates of orchestra and theatre tax relief, from which opera companies are able to benefit. However, there was a clear nod tonight towards the contribution of philanthropy, and we need to echo that. Across the DCMS sectors, it is key to supporting our most beloved institutions and the whole of the cultural space.

We have had a lot of comment about Arts Council England. I do not wish to dwell on some of the comments made, but I confirm that we are working with it and others to understand exactly what the challenges and opportunities are for our sectors. As we have heard, we are undertaking a review into documenting current and past funding for the arts, culture and heritage sectors. We announced at the Labour Party conference that Ministers will undertake a review of Arts Council England, and they are considering next steps and further details. We do not comment on rumours or speculation, and the announcement of the chair will be made public at the appropriate time. However, I stress to the noble Lord, Lord Parkinson, that a non-partisan, inclusive approach will be absolutely central to the work that we know we need to do.

I understand from the comments made tonight by the noble Viscount, Lord Chandos, the noble Earl, Lord Clancarty, the noble Lord, Lord Murphy, the noble Baroness, Lady Noakes, and my noble friend Lady Harman just how unhappy noble Lords have been about some of the decisions made by Arts Council England in the recent past. I am sure everyone will understand I cannot answer for investment decisions made not only under a previous Government but also by an arm’s-length body. Therefore, while I note the critiques noble Lords have raised, I will not respond directly to them. Furthermore, the issues around the chair of Arts Council England are based on rumour, so I cannot comment.

I think we all know that it has been a tumultuous couple of years for the English National Opera, which has weathered the storm impressively well. But it launched its Manchester season just a month ago and it has been received very well in the north and shows real ambition and commitment to making a difference in that area. I am pleased to say that Opera North is working very closely with ENO, from what I understand.

At the start of the debate my noble friend Lord Murphy eloquently raised his concerns regarding the Welsh National Opera. The Government recognise the unique and valuable role WNO plays in cultural life and its leading role in the UK’s opera and classical music sector. We also recognise the very real challenges that have been outlined tonight. I hope that the noble Baroness, Lady Smith, recognises from what I am saying that I understand the wider impact of opera on all our communities. As noble Lords may be aware, Chris Bryant has had a series of very productive meetings with the Welsh Government, the Wales Office, Arts Council England and the Welsh National Opera to really understand some of the issues in more detail.

We had an interesting Question earlier today that picked up some of the issues that have been raised tonight, particularly by the noble Lord, Lord Berkeley, and the noble Earl, Lord Clancarty, about Brexit, its impact, the parlous state of our touring companies and musicians, and the real challenges that we face. I hope I outlined earlier today the real commitment by the Government to work in partnership with the EU to find ways that we can come through this to benefit so many different organisations—it is not just music, as we heard earlier—and that engagement will continue.

I noted the comments about Glyndebourne, and of course it is regrettable that it will no longer tour. Touring is a big issue also for the Welsh National Opera, particularly the impact in Wales, but also in England. But I congratulate Glyndebourne on the success of its autumn season, which I understand proved extremely popular.

As we know, Arts Council England has contributed £10,000 towards the cost of consultancy support, which is helping the sector develop a concept for a new sector representative body. We see this as a positive development for opera, supporting the sector to speak as one. We know that other organisations have done their own research—I am thinking here of the Laidlaw Opera Trust and how it has identified key opportunities and challenges. Norwich Theatre’s Opera Voices research has focused particularly on audiences, and we must not forget the importance of audiences in this debate.

In conclusion, I thank noble Lords for taking part in such an important debate. I hope there is an understanding and a recognition that the Government take the cultural sector very seriously, whether in their industrial strategy or in recognition of the contribution that arts and culture make to society, health and well- being, as well as sheer and pure enjoyment. I loved the “blithering, blathering” mentioned by the noble Lord, Lord Berkeley, if I have got it right. I can end only by apologising if I have not been able to address all the points raised. I look forward to continuing this conversation and my door is very much open.

With particular reference to my noble friend Lord Murphy about the working group idea, I suggest that he writes to the Secretary of State, highlights the work he has experienced in the past, and suggests that it be reconvened. There is enormous benefit from sharing all the rich experience from around this House. We have a vital contribution to make and I look forward to being part of it.

House adjourned at 9.44 pm.