PHILLIP Thomas saw his first opera, performed by a small amateur society in his native Wales, when he was just five years old and he has been hooked ever since. And now the internationally celebrated conductor, accompanist and vocal coach wants to share his love of opera with his adopted hometown of Watford.

To that end, he has created OperaHerts to bring world-class opera performers to town to perform with a chorus and backstage crew made up of local residents.

“Opera has been ‘my bag’ for more than 30 years,” says the 60-year-old, who has lived in Watford for the past 16 years, “and it suddenly struck me, a few months ago, that there was nothing in Watford that was based around opera.”

OperaHerts’ first concert, in aid of Peace Hospice Care, takes place next week and will feature singers from English National Orchestra, the Royal Opera House and Opera Holland Park, among others. The evening’s programme is “a wonderful chocolate box of popular operatic arias”, including The Pearl Fishers’ Duet, Habanera, Vilja, O Mio Babbino Caro and The Toreador’s Song.

If you would like to join OperaHerts, as either a chorus member or as part of the backstage team, for its future projects, contact Andrew Bale on 07872 673978 or email info@operaherts.co.uk

  • The Opera Gala is at St Matthew’s Church, Eastbury Road, Watford on Saturday, November 22 at 7.30pm. Details: 07872 673978, operaherts.co.uk