TALENTED musicians and the industrial surroundings of Bury in the twenties proved an inspirational mix for one young lad, who went on to found one of Britain's most distinguished opera companies.
In his new book Making Music, Norman Platt, who set up the Kent Opera Company, recalls his childhood in the town.
Bury born and bred, Norman, now 81, sang with St Paul's Cathedral Choir and toured with Benjamin Britten's English Opera Group. He performed in operas and oratorios throughout England before going on to found the company, which brought authentic, unadulterated opera to new audiences across the land, to national acclaim.
But it was while living in Chesham Road, at the age of four, that Norman first discovered his passion for music, when he heard his father playing a gramophone record of the Mikado.
It was a revelation and, at the age of six, he started piano lessons with local teacher Annie Hunt, first learning the basics and later the intricacies of different musical styles. A few years later, Norman joined Bury Parish Church choir and started at Bury Grammar School. The position of church choirmaster and school music teacher were held by one man, Dr Walter Williams who, like Miss Hunt, helped Norman pursue his love of music.
"They were my inspiration. It was a matter of luck really, to have people of that quality."
"There were not many beautiful buildings in Bury and it was not the sort of place to excite you when you looked around, but making music was very popular.
"It was something worthwhile for people to do, away from the grimness of the mills but it needed a spark to set it off. I had that from my teachers."
Determined to help others tap into a love of music, and opera in particular, Norman set up the Kent Opera, to perform regionally, at affordable prices. The book chronicles the rise of the company and its eventual decline due to a lack of funding. But, as Norman points out it all began in Bury: "Without Bury and the strength of music there, there wouldn't have been a Kent Opera," he said.
"The town still holds some very special memories for me, especially due to the strength of music that was there."
The book is available for £10, plus £1.50 post and packaging, from Pembles Publications, Pembles Cross Farmhouse, Egerton, Ashford, Kent, TN27 9BN.
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