Musicians' fury as Northern Ballet axes orchestra for recorded music

Northern Ballet Sinfonia has already been scrapped for touring productions this autumn - the first time in 60 years.

Musicians have been staging protests outside theatres to warn of the ‘devastating’ effect this could have on jobs and performances.

More than 21,000 people have already signed a petition calling on more funding.

John Melbourne, principal percussionist with Northern Ballet, leads a protest to save live music (Image: David Parry/PA)

John Melbourne, from Wilmslow, principal percussionist with Northern Ballet for 30 years, says watching ballet without live music will not be the same.

John, 54, said: “They are destroying an art form.

“It’s like a karaoke version of ballet.

“It’s like going to see Elton John or Bruce Springsteen and instead of a live band you have a backing track.”

Musicians, including percussionist John Melbourne, far right, protest over Northern Ballet's decision to replace the orchestra with recorded music (Image: David Parry/PA)

John, a member of the Musicians’ Union, believes that live music plays a vital role in every performance.

“We establish a relationship with the dancers that is constantly bubbling along in a live performance,” he said.

“We have different casts all the time and very often change the music in subtle ways.

“With recorded music there will be no interaction between dance and the music.

“It will be very flat and two dimensional.

“Whatever system you use it is not going to sound the same as live musicians.

“No amount of technical equipment can replicate what it is like for the interaction of all those musicians playing together and interacting with each other.”

The Musicians Union is pressing Northern Ballet and Arts Council England to agree a 'realistic funding solution' to protect jobs (Image: David Parry/PA)

Giving audiences the chance to listen to a live orchestra, he believes, is an integral part of appreciating ballet.

John said: “I go to ballets myself and live music is an uplifting experience.

“The communication, spontaneity and emotion of it all.”

John, like many of his colleagues, are on freelance contracts, but playing in the orchestra has always been his main source of income.

He teaches part-time and does some freelance work but this is highly unpredictable.

John said: “I can’t suddenly say now I’m available, they have other people.

“Musicians will be living on benefits and going to foodbanks if this is taken away from them.”

John fears other orchestras could be at risk.

“Playing in an orchestra has been a natural career path for thousands of people over the decades,” he said.

“Unless something is done very quickly we could see the complete decimation not just of ballet but opera as well.”

Northern Ballet has confirmed that autumn performances of Romeo & Juliet in Southampton, Canterbury and Newcastle, plus a tour of A Christmas Carol will be performed to recorded music.

A spokesman for Northern Ballet said: “We had to make the difficult decision to enter into negotiations with Northern Ballet Sinfonia and the Musicians’ Union to reassess the amount of live music which could accompany our national tours.

“This decision was not taken lightly but in response to an incredibly challenging financial environment where inflation and rising costs have made our traditional touring model unsustainable.

“As a company touring widely with a large number of dancers, musicians and other staff, we have been particularly exposed to inflation in all areas of operation.

“We are very conscious of the uncertainty and distress these ongoing negotiations are causing for Sinfonia members and would like to thank the players as well as the MU for their cooperation during this difficult time.

“Live music remains central to the artistic vision of Northern Ballet and we are working to ensure that our Sinfonia will perform with us on our national tours as much as possible.

“We remain committed to performing to and commissioning new live music for our work and continue to work in “However we will be performing to a mixed programme of live and recorded music in the coming year.

“We are actively fundraising and lobbying key stakeholders to ensure that future audiences in towns and cities across the UK will be able to experience large scale ballet accompanied by live music.

“The cultural sector in the UK is under extreme financial pressure from many directions and more than ever we would like to thank our audiences and supports for continuing to stand alongside us and buy tickets to experience our work.”

The tour of Jane Eyre will be performed to live music from Northern Ballet Sinfonia.

Naomi Pohl, general secretary of the Musicians Union, said: "We will continue applying pressure until Northern Ballet and Arts Council England agree a realistic funding solution that protects jobs and keeps live music at the heart of Northern Ballet productions.

"Musicians' livelihoods are on the line.

"The fear is that this cut is a slippery slope and a recording being used in place of the company's orchestra is a precedent our members won't tolerate.

"We understand the company needs more financial support, and urgently.

"Following the general election, this is a key moment for us to make our case and ensure the arts are prioritised in the new government's recovery plan."

If you wish to support musicians like John, you can sign sign a petition here.