Take one home for Christmas

The Musician's Benevolent Fund have just launched their Opera Offstage calendar featuring jokey images of well known opera singers off the operatic stage, including John Tomlinson as Father Christmas, Sarah Walker in her private pool and Nicky Spence getting a tattoo. Singers featured include Renee Fleming, Susan Bullock and Richard Berkeley Steele, Gerald Finley, Lesley Garrett, Susan Bickley, Dame Felicity Lott and Duncan Rock, Rebecca and Bonaventura Bottone, Gerald Finley, Jonathan Lemalu (and son), and Duncan Rock . The calendar was Nicky Spence's idea, he is an ambassador for the Musician's Benevolent Fund, having received support from them during his studies.

Helping young musicians at the start of their careers and professional musicians threatened with accident, illness or injury, the MBF last year saw an 80% increase in applications from musicians in need of its assistance.

 The calendar is £12 and can be bought direct from the Musicians Benevolent Fund website.