Meet the choir
The fans - known as 'the Bantams' - will be taught to sing opera to celebrate the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture year, as part of a BBC Radio Leeds challenge.
Bantam of the Opera will follow their journey which will be packed full of performances as a choir throughout the year, in the lead up to a big finale.
The world-renowned BBC Singers will support the Bantam’s choir during their development. Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, opera singer Lesley Garrett and sporting legend Chris Kamara, have all also pledged their support to the campaign.
The BBC’s Bantam of the Opera singers are set to perform a number of songs as a choir alongside the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra at the Yorkshire Calling event on 1 August at Bradford Live.
Find out more about Yorkshire Calling on the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture website.
In Vision
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Bantam of the Opera choir perform at King's Cross
The choir made up of 50 Bradford City fans performed in a packed out King's Cross station. -
The King meets Bantam of the Opera choir
His Majesty watched the BBC Radio Leeds choir perform at Cartwright Hall. -
Bantam of the Opera choir performs in London
The choir made up of 50 Bradford City AFC fans performed in London with the BBC Singers. -
Bradford City Promotion Parade
The Bantams celebrate their promotion with a victory parade - BBC Look North, BBC One. -
Bradford City Fire: 40 years on
A special performance to mark 40 years since the Bradford City fire - BBC Look North, BBC One. -
Promotion and Performance
The Bantam of the Opera choir sang 'Take Me Home, Midland Road' In front of Bradford City fans - Morning Live, BBC One. -
Pre-match preview: Marking the Bradford City fire
Bantam of the Opera will perform to mark the 40th anniversary of the Bradford City fire. -
Bantam singers get opera masterclass
Watch two professional opera singers, part of Opera North, gave a masterclass. -
Big Brass Blowout in Bradford for City of Culture
Watch back as Bradford spends a day celebrating all things Brass on Look North, BBC One -
Bantam choir perform live on BBC Radio 2
Watch back as the Bantam choir performs live on BBC Radio 2 from the centre of Bradford -
Bantam choir members reflect on Bradford flashmob
Members of the Bantam choir tell all about their operatic flashmob on Look North, BBC One -
Bantam choir shocks shoppers in Bradford
Lesley Garrett and the choir sang Habanera from the opera Carmen - BBC Radio Leeds. -
Chris Kamara surprises Bantams choir
Watch back as Chris meets the choir for a rehearsal - Morning Live, BBC One. -
Opera masterclass with Lesley Garrett
Watch back-stage at the first choir rehearsal on Morning Live, BBC One. -
First rehearsal
The Bantam of the Opera choir had its first rehearsal with surprise guest Lesley Garrett on Look North, BBC One. -
Who is in the choir?
Watch the moment the Bantam of the Opera singers are unveiled on Look North, BBC One. -
What is 'Bantam of the Opera' with Chris Kamara
Chris Kamara explains what 'Bantam of the Opera' is on Morning Live, BBC One. -
What are we looking for?
Chris Kamara and Lesley Garrett launch Bantam of the Opera on BBC Breakfast, BBC One. -
Andrew Lloyd Webber shares his support
Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber spoke of his involvement in the choir on The One Show, BBC One. -
Chris Kamara recruits Bantam choir
Former player and manager Chris Kamara attended a Bradford City match to sign-up fans.
Updates
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An opening act
The Bantam of the Opera choir will be the opening act for a Yorkshire Day concert. -
Bradford City AFC
Pre and post-match interviews and discussion. Listen and follow on BBC Sounds.
