Chorus Lines

About the Book

`Chorus Lines’ is an account of life within The English National Opera Chorus over a thirty year period, starting in nineteen seventy-six. By no means an official version of events, this is an irreverent personal view of all the many bizarre and often hilarious incidents encountered at The London Coliseum, the disasters as well as the triumphs. The ups and downs of life backstage are uncompromisingly laid bare. We learn what it is really like to work with famous directors and conductors, wonderful artistes, and some of the not so successful. Also included on this noisy voyage are lots of gossip and dressing room badinage, and insights into the rigours of touring not only England but also The USA and The Soviet Union.

About the Author

Raymund Dring first sang an operatic title role as a boy soprano, appearing as Sammy, `The Little Sweep’ in Benjamin Britten’s `Let’s Make an Opera!’ a role he shared with David Hemmings and Michael Crawford. Later, as a tenor, he appeared in West End Shows such as `The Black and White Minstrels’, and `Strike a Light!’ before joining up with his brother Edmund in a cabaret act known as `The Brothers Dring’. Appearing aboard various P&O liners like the old Canberra and Oriana often took them to Australia, where they settled for a while, Raymund also studying opera at The Sydney Conservatorium. This eventually led to a change of career. After singing extensively in Australia including several roles in ABC TV operas, a return to England heralded appearances at Glyndebourne and work with the BBC Singers, before joining the permanent chorus at The ENO.