At the time of writing, New Cornwall Opera Ltd (NCO) is into its eighth year.

Today it is run by Business Director, David Gibson and an enthusiastic and capable management team.

The company was formed in 2003 to address gaps in the performing arts activities in Cornwall; to stage, alongside the popular works expected by audiences, some lesser known productions, aiming to provide access to opera for the whole community. Rural locations have been chosen as well as towns, allowing opera to integrate closely with everyday life beyond the large opera houses and theatres.

During its first year NCO toured two one-act Puccini operas - Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi. These brought together some of the best names in Cornish opera for the major principal roles but also opened the way for several other gifted singers to experience their first solo involvement in opera.

Later that year, the company staged a sell-out concert of Italian opera at Truro's award winning Lemon Street Market and proceeded to an equally well attended winter tour of Amahl and the Night Visitors.

The reputation quickly established led to a chance to perform at the renowned open air Minack Theatre on the cliffs at Porthcurno in July 2007. The company performed Bizet's glorious opera Carmen, sold out before it opened.

With a further sell out production of La Traviata at the Minack for 2009 the company moves from strength to strength.