The Ashleyan Opera was created by Philip’s grandparents Stanley and Margaret Asher ran from 1959 for almost 50 performances well into the 21st Century. They performed grand opera to the delight of audiences in Leicester at The Little Theatre and Leicester Haymarket. When the group closed for the final time the money left in their funds was donated to Birmingham Conservatoire to award a prize each year to a postgraduate vocal student at the start of their career. It has run for 9 years since 2007 each year attended by Margaret Asher herself and eminent judges from the opera world to make the final decision. You can see the Prize winners listed over on our Prizes and Awards page.