A FORMER Huddersfield Choral Society member is to be an opera star for a night.
Gareth Daniel, 36, who works for the Yorkshire Bank in Stockport, is in the middle of a month's vocal coaching with Opera North after triumphing in Opera-tunity Knocks.
This was an internal bank competition to turn a quartet of bank staff into opera stars for a night.
Mr Daniel, who grew up in Oakes and went to Batley Grammar School, will perform at Leeds Grand Theatre late this month, together with members of Opera North.
Before this he will learn two arias from Mozart's Don Giovanni.
They are the Serenade, which he will perform solo, and La Ci Darem, which he will sing as a duet.
He will also perform in the Champagne Trio from Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss.
Mr Daniel said: "I'm delighted to be one of the winners who will get the chance to perform for a night at the Grand.
"It's a great achievement and one I still can't quite believe.
"As a keen singer I really looked forward to the vocal coaching with Opera North and learning the arias.
"Opera-tunity Knocks has been a brilliant competition to take part in.
"It's got everyone around the bank talking about our sponsorship of the Grand and Opera North.
"My friends, family and colleagues are delighted for me.
"They're all now clambering to get tickets for my performance at the Grand."
To claim his place in the final quartet Mr Daniel had to go through two X Factor-style auditions.
Judges were impressed with his voice and he made it all the way through to the final.
