CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period 1 January 2025 To 31 December 2025 From Charity name: York Opera Charfty registration ftumber. 700279 Objectlves and Activities Surrffnary of the purposes of the chJrity as set oul in its goveming document P• 1.17 The presentation of opera perf0mlan in York and North Yorkshire... and lo proiTh)te and encourage Ihe love of opera in North Yod(shire During the year the ts)mpany gave four perfonTn(ts of"The Tales of Hoffman- Ioffenbach) with 23 pece orchestra at the Yorf( Theatre Royal. The cornpany also gave Ihree perfomancAs of The Beggar5 Operd vmh small string and wind band. We undertcrf)k a joint benefit concert with the York Railway Instttute Brass band to raise money for St Leonards's Hospice York lin memory of a long standing member of both organis8bons) arKI y delivered three (1)nrtS of Christrnas music. The Trustee5 have rewe] the guidan on public benefil issued (PB1 } by the chanty commEssion and is satssficd that it meets the requirements Summary of the main activtb'es in relation to Ihose purposes for the public benefit. in paCUlar. the adivities, PTDiects or SerS identifEd in the accounts. Pwa 7.17 1_19 Statement c£)nfirming whether the Irustees have had regard to Ihe guidance ISSU by the Charity Commission on public benefit Pwa 1.18 Additional infonnation (optional) You ma choose to indude further slatemen15 where relevant abc&L' The company does not give grants. although on OCGasion it may waive or redu membership fees - especially for Yng musiaans. Our aim is that no-one who viishes to sing opera is prevented from Ikmng so because of memtErship fees. Parni Policy on grant making This year we undert(K)k a nrt to raise mone for St Leonard's hos ice York. Not applicable Pwa 1.38 Policy on sLKial inveStrt including pr(YJfam related investment
Almost all thc activities of York Opera are undertaken by volunteets. This indudes our Musical and Stage DirerAors. all our principals and the members of Ihe chorus. In addition. we have very actrve teams involved in the design arKJ build of sets. and in the design and making of ¢XJStumes_ We havc active social and fund- raisiNJ groups and volunteers and this year this induded our regular bn.ng and buy sale. A sponsored 1 Ok run and the publicabon of two txx)ks aboul the Company by one of our members P¥a 133 Contribution made by volunteers Achievements and Perforniance As descrtbed above. the o)mpany gave a number of performan5 <iiid concerts during the year Summary of the main achievements of the charity. idenD'fying the differenct the Chanty's work has made to the circufflstsns of its benefiaaries and any wider benefits lo society as a Whe. P*a 120 The Tales of Hoffman was perfotmed with full orchestra in a professional theatre with a substanti31 $t giving many mefflbet5 the optM)rttJnity to take solo fOs.. The Beggars Opera was perfonned -in the round" in a n1 tradib.onal setting and induding a gin tasting sw)nsored by and joinl matheted with a local distillery! This innovative usc of rnarkets'ng resulte¢J In a rather different and varied audience from thal f our tra(rrtKKl PTc#Juctions We Ve been aware a demarKI amoftgst rrembers for opportuThb"es to Improve their trforman and singing skills. Dunng the year we ran two master classes lon Gilbert and Sullivan and on early MUSK) with professional musicians v4h costs were met by generous donations. These We very fully LM)oked - espeually by our younger members and we 11 contsnue this innovab"on. Wc do not require our chorus to audition- and this long hekl Fx)licy is C lo our purFO)se of txingiro rr into opera. We do cornpelitivcly audition for principal roles and require a hoh standard. We offer roles th to recent graduates wshing lo devel careers in music. and those who
wish to deepen their musical knowledge and experience. In the year we also provided (ppK)rtunities to new (Jirectors- working under the mentorship of more experienced directors. We &ng ir) English and our goal is to bring well designcd. direded and perforn opera to Yth audien$ in an ac(Essible way. Addttional irrforniation (optional) You ma choose to include further stsiements where relevant alxx We set ourselves a prcMJramme for the year that required substantrdl musical resour and complex staging and wardrobe- especialty Tales of Hoffman. We also wished to be accessible to new audience members. The Wofks were very well reiVed and Yth reviewer5 (x)mmentsng on the quality of music and the visually clpelling sets. Achievements against objectives set Parn 1.41 We have continucd in our efforts in our budgeting and cost ntrol efftyts and this includes ensurin9 budget hdders are involved in the budgeting process. Furthenrmye. V have been successful in tapping new forms of income - in pa'Cular that related to donations which In¢ased by alnN)sl £1.5(M) in Ihe year. In addibon we tapped new sour$ of income in Ihe 10k srK)nsored run undertaken by our younger members. Not appli(ablo Performance of fundraising acliwb.es against objectives set P¥a 1.41 Invesbnent perfomian againsl objectives P• 1.41 Other
Financial Review Revtew of tlie charitys financial position at the end of the period In year. Yorf( Opera made a loss of £3.030.38 and finished the year with net assets of £24.910. The principal reasons for the loss vffis the poorer than expe(led perfomtsncc of ticket sales for Tales of Hoffman arKI the need to invest in a rw costUTne store as the prevIcS arrangement by which we were able to occupy premises free of charge had come to an cnd. N(#thelesS. the financial tOn of the company remains satisfactory as we continue lo eXore new fvnding oppIneS Statement explaining tt policy f(x holding reserves statsng why they are held kn122 We hold sufficient funds to manage our very uneven cash flows comfortably. Our membefship fees ar various fundraising act[lieS gencralty cover expenses such as rehearsal Spa and rent on our wardrobe and sel stores. However, wc do not typically r[ve bckel Incne from the theatre for our main pr(xluction until after we have had to pay tts - especially those relabng to Ord1 expense and keep reserves to manage this. Our reserves also allow us to manage unforeseen losses like that which we suffered in 2023. £21.617.65 Amounl of reserves held Rea%ons for holding zero reseNes Details of hjnd materially in deficit Fxplanation of any unrtaIntieS atout ihe charity continuing as a going COnM Para1. Para 124 Para 123 Additional information (optionall You ma dloose to include further stalenEnts where relevant abouL The chanty's pn"nopal Sr¢eS of funds (indudiThJ any fundratsing) P*a147 Investment Fdicy and objecbves including any social investment wJiCy a(k)pted P•# 1.46
A description of the principal nsks facing the charity P>d 1.46 other
structure. Governance and Management Desuiption of d)arrty's Not Applicable trusts: Type of goveming document p1.?5 How is the charity consbtuted? l Q iliiinrnrt Pwa125 Uninrworated a5jaOn Trustee select'm melhc¥ts including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or trx)dy entided to appoint one or more Irustees P¥a125 Truslees including OffirS (Chair. Treasurer. SecTEtaryl are elected by membeo at the annual general meeting. Addltional inforniation loplional) You ma ch(xJse to include further statements Ithere relevant atrJuL" Policies and prwedures adopted for the inductii and training of trustees Pxa151 The chaTills organisatonat structure and any Wer network with which the diarty VK>rks Para 751 Relationship with any related parties Pwa 1.51 efereiiGe and Admini3trative dctails York O Other name the cha uses islered charily number Charity's principal address 700279 2 St Roberts Gardens. KnarestWh. North Yothshire HG5 8EH
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity frf¥ry) NamE of person lor bthtyl entitled toa nla lan Thomson-smith DavKI Hartley Adrian Cook Chair Secretary Treasurer nla nla nla nla Hannah Cahill ra Miryirèl gdpor PAulinp. Marshall Wen(ty Jacks( n19 nla 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 orate trustoes- names of Ihe direcKKS at the date thc re la Nafne of trustees hokjing 15tle to propety the nla
| CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period 31 December 2025 From 1 January 2025 Charity name: York Opera Charity registration number: 700279 Objectives and Activities Summary of the purposes ol the charity as sel out in rts goveming dQKUnt The pre_8e.nlation of opera rfOmwnceS in York and North Yorkshire... and to promotc and encourage the h)ve of opera in North Yorkshire During the year the company gave four perf0Mn of Vhe Tales of Hoffman- (Offenbach) wtth 23 piece orchestra at the York Thcatrc Royal. The company also gave Ihree performances of The Beggars Opera with small strtng and wind barKI. We undertook a joint benefit concert with the York Railway InstitLrte Brass band to raise money for St Lwnards's Hospice York lin memory of a l(ry stsnding member of toth organisationsl and we delNered three concerts of Christmas music. The Trustees have rewewed t1 guidance on public benefit issued IPB1) by the charity (rmmission and is sats"sfied Ihat it Sumrnary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the puNic bcnefit. in parliwlar. Ihe actNib"es. projects or Servi Mdentified in the Para 1.17 1.19 statemenl confimiing whether the trustees have had ard to the guidar issued by Ihe Chanty Commission on public benefft P•a 1.18 Additional inforniation {optional) You tna chcM)se to include further ststerrEnts where relevant abcyjt The company does not g¢ve grants, allhough on (Kcasion tt may waive or redu rrembefship fees - especially for young musicians. Our aim is that ncpone who wishes to sing opera is prevented frown Pa 1JB Policy on grant making This year we undert(x)k a n(rt to raise for Sl Leonard s hos ice York. Not Wi(ble 1.38 Policy on sooal investrnent trteJiJdir4J pmgrAm related inveslment
Almost all the aciivitjes of York Opera are undertaken by volunteers. This includes our Musi11 and Stage Directors. all our principals and the members of the chorus. In addition. we have very active teams involved in the design and build of sets. and in the design and making of c£Jslumes. We have aciive Sla1 and fund- raising gruup5 and volunteers arKI this year Ihis induded our regular bring and trAry sale. A swnsored 10k run and the publication of ttK)ks 8b(xrt the Company by one of contribut made ty volunteers Other Achievements and Perfom)ance As desCrIt above. the company gave a number of performan and conrtS dunng the year Summary of Ihe maiTI achievements of the chanty. identifying Ihc differents the charity'5 Wofk has made to the ryrcumstances of its benpfic¢aries any wtder benefits to sxiety as a whole. The Tales of Hoffman was perf(xmed wtth full Ixthestra in a professional theatre with a substantial cast giving many rwnbers the opportunty to tske solo roles.. The Beggars Opera d$ perfomied -in the round" in a non traditional setttng and induding a gin tasbng spons(Ked by and joint marketed wtth a ILKal distillery! This innovative use ol markeb.ng rcsutted in a rather different and varied audience from at for our mre tradilional pr(xlucEions We have t*en aware of a demand amongst memr$ for opportunities to impfove Iheir performance and singing skills. Dunng the year we ran bwo master classes lon Gilbert and Sullivan and on earty music) bwth professional rnusicians c.kn wcrc rnct by 9enorous donations. These were very fully bwked - cspocially by our younger members and we will continue this innovabon. We do nol requi our chorus to audition - and this long held tM)Iicy is core to our purpose of bringiThJ more pwle into We do c(xnpets"tively audition for principal roles arKI require a hKih standard. We offer rOS Ixith lo re1 graduales viishing to evel careers in music, and Ihose who
wish to deepen their musical knowledge and experien. In the year we also provided opportLJnities to new directors- working under the mentorship of rrK)re experienced diwtors. We sing in English and our goal is lo bring well designed. directed and perf0mj opera to Ycffk audiences in an a(Kessiblè way. Additional information (optional) You ma chrx)se to include further slatements where relevant atK)uL' We set ourselves a prts3rarn for the year that requifed substsntial musical reSoUS and (x)mplex staging and wardrobe- especially Tales of Hoffman. We also wt5hed to be accessible to new audience members. The works were very well received and with revie.wers comrrenbng on the quality of mu*¢ and the visuaSty rMpellIng sets. Athievemenls against objecbves set Pw8 1.41 We have (x)nts'nued in our efforts in our bu(Igeting and cost control efforts and this includes ensuring budget holders are involved in the budgeling process. Furtherr. we have been successful in tapping new fom)s of in(x)me- in paCUlar that relaled to donations which increased by almost £1500 in the year. In addit50n we tapped new Sour of income in the 10k snsed run undertaken by our younger members. Nol applicable Perforfflan of furKlraisir activtttes against obje¢knves set InVest[rlt performance against objectives l>w¥ 1.41 other
Financial Review Review of the charity's financial position at end of trE pen(xl d121 In the year. Yk Opera made a loss of £3.030.38 and finished the year with net assets 01 £24.910. The Fxincapal reascxts for the loss vras Ihe Axer than expected performance of iicket sale5 ts Tales of Hoffman and the need to invest in a new cosbjme storo as the previous aTngement by which we were ae lo wcupy wemises free of charge had come to an end. Nonelheless. the financial position of the company remains sati5fattory as we continue to explore ncw funding Stalemenl explaining the policy for holding reseNes stsb'ng why they are held Pa 122 We hold suffiaent funds to manage our very uneven cash flows comfortably. Our membetship fees arxl various fundraising activilies generalty (Ver expenscs such a5 rehearsal space and rent on our wardrobe arHJ set slores. However. we do not tYpIlY receive ticket income from the theatre for our main pr(xluction unb'l after we have had to pay CA)5ts- especially those relatirMJ to orchestral expense and we k&p reserves to manage this. Our reserves aLw allow us lo manage unforeseen losses like Ihai which we suffered in 2023. £21.617.65 nla A)Unt of reserves held Reasons for holding zero reservcs Details of ftjnd materialty defictt Expianab'on of any uncertainties at()ut the charity conbnuing as a ging P¥a122 Pa 124 Para I Additional infom[0 (optional) You may ch(x6e to include further statements where retevant about The charity's principal Sources of fijnds (induding any fundraisiThJ) P*4 1.47 Investment t41"cY and objectives including any soctal investment policy adopted P¥a 1.46
A description of the WTrtipal risks facing the charity P¥4 1.46 Olher
Structure. Governance and Management Desuiption of charity's Not AppIlble trusts.. Type of goveming (k)cument 1.25 Constitution How is the charity Const[ted? Pwa 125 Uninc(Kporated a&wiation Trustee Section methc*Js inciudirg details of any constitutional provisK)ns e.g. elects'on to pjst or name of any person or body enb'tled to apwnt one or more trustees Trustees including Offir5 (Chair. Treasurer. sectary) are elected by members at the annual general meeting. Additional information (optional) You ma choose lo indude further Stateme Whe relewarrt about Policies and prcredures adopted for the induction and training ol truslees P¥a 151 The charity's organisatK)nal structure and any wider network th which the charty works Pwa 1S1 Relationship with any ree paites P1] Other Reference and Administrative details Chari name other name the tha istered cha number Charity's wincipal address York O 700279 2 St Roberts Gaulens. Knaresbotough, North Yorkshire HGS 8EH
Names of the charity In4Stees who manage the charity Tee na 01ce lil Plwne of pers(¢r body) èntitled rfan lan Thomson-smith Daffld Hartley Adrian Cook Hamtsh Brown Hannah Cahill Chair Secretary Treasurer nla rLla nla nla nla nla nla Margaret Sottr Pauline Marshall Wendy Jadison nla nla nla 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 rate trustees- names of the directors at tr date the re Oirector name nla wasa Name of ITUStees holding tide to prc¥)ety belonsffng to tr* (knrity Trustee nan
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others DesLTiption ol the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalt the assets are hekj and how this falls within the cust(KJian charity's objects nla Details of arrangemenls fly safe custody and segregation of such assets from the tharity's ch Additional information {optional) Narne5 and addresses of advisers (Optional inforntion) Type of Name Address adviser Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) Exemptions from disclosure Reason norFdisclosure of k fsonnel details Other o tional infomiation
Declarations The tNstees declare that they have approved the truslees. report above. Slgned on behalf of the charity's trustees Si9iiaturels} Full naTne(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair. etc Aoio cv4eLeS Treasurer J IIzo2
S*07 (wi f¢¢5 19RAP 7A1147 iJ.mSJ L•F. T•l1•1 4¥ 4F>F.v• J.FW.B IABL.W SS7.Q7 7rtL41 xM•
59 Woodw8rde Road. London SE22 8UN 29 April 2026 Independent 8xomlnor's roport to the truslees of York Oporn I report to the trustees on my examination ot the accounts of York Opera for the year ended 31 Decemb8r 2025. Responslbilltios and bails of roport As rhe ch8rlty trustees ol tf*e Trust you are Tesponsible for the preparation ot the 8ccounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {'the Act'l. I repon In respect of my ex8mination ot the Trust's accounts Carried out under section 145 of the2011 Act 8nd in carrying out my 8x8mination I have followed 811 the appllc8ble Directions given by the Chority Commi$$ion under section 1451511bl of the Act. Independent •xamlner'• stat•mont I have Completed my ex8min8tion. I confirm that no material rnatters h8ve come to my attention in connection with the ex8mlnatlon glvlng me Cause to belleve that in any material respect: 8ccounting records wgre not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records: or 3. the accounts do not comply wlth the appllcable requirements concernlng the torm and content of accounts Yet out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any iequiremgnt thet the accounts give a'true and foir view wthich is not 8 matter considered as p8rt of an independent examination. I have no concerns 8nd have come across no other matters In connection with the examination to which attention should b8 dr8wn in this report in or(Jer to enable 8 proper underst8ndln8 01 th8 accountsto be reached. Signed: Name: Stephen Waters ACA Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wale8. Address: 59 Woodw8rde Road. London SE22 BUN