Caseware UK (AP4) 2024.0.164 2024.0.164 Caseware UK (AP4) 2024.0.164 2024.0.164 2025-03-3108982613473910000121242131242100002024-04-01falseNo description of principal activity112025-03-31 04302402 2024-04-01 2025-03-31 04302402 2023-04-01 2024-03-31 04302402 2025-03-31 04302402 2024-03-31 04302402 2024-04-01 04302402 2023-04-01 04302402 c:RegisteredOffice 2024-04-01 2025-03-31 04302402 d:CurrentFinancialInstruments 2025-03-31 04302402 d:CurrentFinancialInstruments 2024-03-31 04302402 c:FRS102 2024-04-01 2025-03-31 04302402 c:IndependentExaminationCharity 2024-04-01 2025-03-31 04302402 c:PrivateLimitedCompanyLtd 2024-04-01 2025-03-31 04302402 b:Trustee2 2024-04-01 2025-03-31 04302402 b:Trustee3 2024-04-01 2025-03-31 04302402 b:Trustee5 2024-04-01 2025-03-31 04302402 b:Trustee6 2024-04-01 2025-03-31 04302402 b:Trustee8 2024-04-01 2025-03-31 04302402 b:Trustee9 2024-04-01 2025-03-31 04302402 b:Trustee12 2024-04-01 2025-03-31 04302402 b:Trustee15 2024-04-01 2025-03-31 04302402 b:Trustee17 2024-04-01 2025-03-31 04302402 b:RestrictedIncomeFunds 2024-04-01 2025-03-31 04302402 b:RestrictedIncomeFunds 2023-04-01 2024-03-31 04302402 b:TotalEndowmentFunds 2024-04-01 2025-03-31 04302402 b:TotalEndowmentFunds 2023-04-01 2024-03-31 04302402 b:RestrictedIncomeFunds 2025-03-31 04302402 b:RestrictedIncomeFunds 2024-03-31 04302402 b:TotalEndowmentFunds 2025-03-31 04302402 b:TotalEndowmentFunds 2024-03-31 04302402 c:ChiefExecutive 2024-04-01 2025-03-31 04302402 b:Activity1 2024-04-01 2025-03-31 04302402 b:Activity1 2023-04-01 2024-03-31 04302402 b:Activity1 b:TotalEndowmentFunds 2024-04-01 2025-03-31 04302402 b:TotalUnrestrictedFunds 2025-03-31 04302402 b:TotalUnrestrictedFunds 2024-03-31 04302402 b:TotalRestrictedIncomeFunds 2025-03-31 04302402 b:TotalRestrictedIncomeFunds 2024-03-31 04302402 c:FullAccounts 2024-04-01 2025-03-31 iso4217:GBP xbrli:pure
Registered number: 04302402
Charity number: 1111086












THE EARLY OPERA COMPANY LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
UNAUDITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

 
THE EARLY OPERA COMPANY LIMITED
 
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 

CONTENTS



Page
Reference and Administrative Details of the Company, its Trustees and Advisers
 
1
Trustees' Report
 
2 - 5
Independent Examiner's Report
 
6
Statement of Financial Activities
 
7
Balance Sheet
 
8
Notes to the Financial Statements
 
9 - 19

 
THE EARLY OPERA COMPANY LIMITED
 
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE COMPANY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025



E De Blocq Van Kuffeler (resigned 31 October 2024)
J M Galt
C W D Laing
V A Monk
N A Oppenheimer, Chair of Trustees
A M Peck, Honorary Treasurer
D B Rockwell
S W Sobey
T Weisselberg


Company registered number
04302402

Charity registered number
1111086

Registered office
Henwood House
Henwood
Ashford
Kent
TN24 8DH

Artistic Director
C M Curnyn

Accountants
Magee Gammon Corporate Limited
Chartered Accountants
Henwood House
Henwood
Ashford
Kent
TN24 8DH

Page 1

 
THE EARLY OPERA COMPANY LIMITED
 
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
  
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the The Early Opera Company Limited for the year from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025The Annual Report serves the purposes of both a Trustees' report and a directors' report under company law. The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the charitable company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charitable company's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019). 
 

Since the Company qualifies as small under section 382 of the Companies Act 2006, the Strategic Report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 has been omitted.
 

The Trustees, who are also directors of The Early Opera Company Limited for the purposes of company law and who served during the year and up to the date of this report, are set out on page 1.
 

Objectives and activities
 

l Policies and objectives
 

The object of the charitable company is to advance the education of the public in the subject of early opera.
 

In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'.
EOC’s Vision is to celebrate baroque music in ways that stir, delight and inspire all our audiences.

Our Mission is:
To deliver the highest-quality concerts, staged productions, recordings and broadcasts of baroque opera and early music.
To inspire audiences, including those to whom the music may be unfamiliar.
To excite and inspire school pupils with music of which they will probably be unacquainted.
To enable the professional development of the next generation of baroque-specialist musicians.
To collaborate with world-class partners.
 

Page 2

 
THE EARLY OPERA COMPANY LIMITED
 
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
Achievements and performance
 

l Review of activities
 

In terms of concerts, 2024 has seen a number of significant activities for EOC. The Company continued its commitment to musical education for children with a successful project in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Music and Edith Neville Primary School, was the orchestra in residence for one of Buxton Festival’s most highly rated productions of the season, gave a well-received Handel concert at St John’s Smith Square as part of the London Festival of Baroque Music, and is preparing for its latest Chandos release: the first-ever recording of Maurice Greene’s oratorio/opera Jephtha, completed in March 2024 and due out in April 2025.
In May 2024, the Orchestra, under the direction of Christopher Bucknall and featuring Mary Bevan and Iestyn Davies as soloists, performed a selection of Handel’s arias and love duets as part of the London Festival of Baroque Music at St John’s Smith Square. Tickets were much sought after and the concert was very warmly received.
The main staged performances of the year were four presentations of Handel’s Il 
Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno at the Buxton Festival, directed by Jacopo Spirei. The Telegraph awarded five stars to “this inventive take on the 1707 dramatic allegory, which is an astonishing reflection on the human condition and the dynamics of family life,” praising the soloists—Anna Dennis as Beauty, Hilary Cronin as Pleasure, Jorge Navarro Colorado as Time, and Hilary Summers in a moving portrayal of Disillusion. It also noted, “None of this would work were the musical observation and dramatic detail not so acute, and if the music under Christian Curnyn’s direction were not so thoughtfully reflected on stage.” The Stage reported that the singing was often impressive, stating that “two arias delivered by Summers rank as great singing by any standards.” The Opera Critic likewise praised the “stellar cast” and the playing of the Early Opera Company orchestra. OperaWire singled out “the musical side of the production under the direction of Christian Curnyn, who elicited sensitive and dramatically compelling performances from the singers and the Early Opera Company Orchestra, whose playing was clear and beautifully spaced throughout.
In February 2025, the Company undertook its latest education project—its second in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Music and Alice Poppleton—working this time with Edith Neville Primary School. A series of workshops for children were held with students from the Historical Performance Department, drawing on Rameau’s Pygmalion. The schoolchildren were fully engaged in storytelling, composition, and singing. With Sam Boden in the role of Pygmalion/Professor Sam, scenes from an opera were devised, with the children portraying the Professor’s fellow inventors and taking part in the singing. It was a hugely enjoyable and enriching event for everybody taking part, with some excellent leadership and acting from Sam Boden.
We are now looking ahead to our 30th anniversary year, which includes a number of celebratory concerts. Highlights so far have included a performance of Handel’s 
Floridante to close the London Handel Festival in April, and Rameau’s Pygmalion at Middle Temple Hall in May. Forthcoming events include Handel’s Acis and Galatea at the Temple in September, and a programme of Purcell Odes focusing on the music of Queen Mary at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw in October, narrated by Sam West — our first return there since the Company’s highly successful concert in 2018.
 

Page 3

 
THE EARLY OPERA COMPANY LIMITED
 
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
Financial review
 

l Going concern
 

After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and at least for the period of 12 months from the signing of this report. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. 
 

l Reserves policy
 

The charity aims to maintain reserves to allow operations to continue for the short to medium term (roughly equal to 6 months operating costs). Unrestricted and undesignated reserves at 31 March 2025 amounted to £60,621 (2024 - £42,413).  This equates to approximately 11 months (2023 - 11 months) of operating costs. 
 

l Financial Results
 

The charity recorded a surplus for the year (after taxation) of £20,709 (2024 - £8,691).  At the balance sheet date, the charity had total reserves of £60,621 (2023 - £44,913) of which £5,000 (2024 - £Nil) is restricted and £2,500 (2024 - £2,500) has been designated.
 

Structure, governance and management
 

l Constitution
 

The company was incorporated on 10 October 2001 and registered as a charity, number 1111086, on 30 August 2005. It is controlled by its governing document, its Memorandum and Articles of Association, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 1985. 
 

l Methods of appointment or election of Trustees
 

The Trustees, who act as directors for the purpose of the Companies Act 2006, are appointed in the first instance by the board of Trustees, with one third being subject to retirement by rotation at each annual general meeting and, if wished, reappointment. Potential candidates to act as new trustees are identified by existing trustees with a view to providing skills and expertise, and they are invited to attend board meetings to establish their suitability and willingness to be appointed.
 

l Policies adopted for the induction and training of Trustees
 

Trustees are recruited on the basis of a needs based skills assessment.  There is a formal induction programme and new trustees are supported in their new roles by fellow trustees.
 

l Risk management
 

The Trustees have given consideration to the major risks to which the company is exposed, and these risks and the ways of mitigating these are reviewed on a regular basis. 
 

Members' liability
 

The Members of the Company guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the Company in the event of winding up.
 

Page 4

 
THE EARLY OPERA COMPANY LIMITED
 
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
Statement of Trustees' responsibilities
 

The Trustees (who are also the directors of the Company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).


Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial . Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business.


The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.


 

Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:



................................................
N A Oppenheimer
(Chair of Trustees)

Date: 1 August 2025

Page 5

 
THE EARLY OPERA COMPANY LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 

 
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Early Opera Company Limited ('the Company')
 
We report to the charity Trustees on our examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and Basis of Report

As the Trustees of the Company (and its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied ourselves that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, we report in respect of our examination of the Company's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out our examination we have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent Examiner's Statement

We have completed our examination. We confirm that no matters have come to our attention in connection with the examination giving us cause to believe:

1.
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2.
the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3.
the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

4.
the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].


We have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

This report is made solely to the Company's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008Our work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company's Trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an Independent Examiner's Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's Trustees as a body, for our work or for this report.




Signed:      Dated: 1 August 2025

Steven Wanstall FCCA     

Magee Gammon Corporate Limited
Chartered Accountants
Henwood House
Henwood
Ashford
Kent
TN24 8DH
Page 6

 
THE EARLY OPERA COMPANY LIMITED
 
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)


 
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025


Restricted funds
2025
Unrestricted funds
2025
Total
funds
2025
Total
funds
2024
Note
        £
        £
        £
        £

Income from:







Donations and legacies

4

10,038

38,949

48,987

44,367
 
Charitable activities

5

-

18,019

18,019

102,556
 
Investments

6

-

426

426

431
 
Total income
10,038
57,394
67,432
147,354
Expenditure on:







Charitable activities

7

5,038

56,954

61,992

161,788
 
Total expenditure
5,038
56,954
61,992
161,788

Net income/(expenditure) before taxation

  

5,000

440

5,440

(14,434)
 
Taxation

 12 

-

15,268

15,268

23,125
 
Net movement in funds
  
5,000
15,708
20,708
8,691

Reconciliation of funds:

  





Total funds brought forward

  

-

44,913

44,913

36,222
 
Net movement in funds

  

5,000

15,708

20,708

8,691
 
Total funds carried forward
  
5,000
60,621
65,621
44,913

The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

The notes on pages 9 to 19 form part of these financial statements.

Page 7

 
THE EARLY OPERA COMPANY LIMITED
 
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
REGISTERED NUMBER: 04302402


 
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 MARCH 2025


2025
2024
Note
£
£

Current assets
  

Debtors
 13 
17,972
3,398

Cash at bank and in hand
  
51,170
59,306

  
69,142
62,704

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
 14 
(3,521)
(17,791)

Net current assets 
  
 
 
65,621
 
 
44,913

Total net assets 
  
65,621
44,913


Charity funds
  

Restricted funds
 16 
5,000
-

Unrestricted funds
 16 
60,621
44,913

Total funds
  
65,621
44,913

The Company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of Companies Act 2006.

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:




................................................
N A Oppenheimer
(Chair of Trustees)

Date: 1 August 2025


The notes on pages 9 to 19 form part of these financial statements.

Page 8

 
THE EARLY OPERA COMPANY LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 

 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1.


General information

The Early Opera Company Limited is a private company, limited by guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales. The company registration number is 04302402.
The registered office address is Henwood House, Henwood, Ashford, Kent, TN24 8DH. The principal place of business is Bramble Hill House, Bramble Hill, Balcombe, RH17 6HR.


2.Accounting policies

  
2.1

Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

The Early Opera Company Limited meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.

  
2.2

Income

All income is recognised once the Company has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable.

  
2.3

Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Company's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

  
2.4

Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Company; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.

Page 9

 
THE EARLY OPERA COMPANY LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 

 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

2.Accounting policies (continued)

  
2.5

Gift Aid

In the case of a Gift Aid payment made within the Group, income is accrued when the payment is payable to the Parent Company under a legal obligation. Measurement is at the fair value receivable, which will normally be the transaction value.

Where the right to receive Gift Aid has been established, the amount receivable is recognised as income in the Statement of Financial Activities.

  
2.6

Foreign currencies

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at rates of exchange ruling at the reporting date.

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate ruling on the date of the transaction.

Exchange gains and losses are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities.

  
2.7

Taxation

The Company is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the Company is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

  
2.8

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

  
2.9

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.


2.10

Liabilities and provisions

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance Sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.

Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Company anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.

Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities as a finance cost.

Page 10

 
THE EARLY OPERA COMPANY LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 

 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

2.Accounting policies (continued)

  
2.11

Financial instruments

The Company only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

  
2.12

Pensions

The Company operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the Company to the fund in respect of the year.

  
2.13

Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Company and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Company for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.


3.

Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgment

Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Critical accounting estimates and assumptions:

The Company makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. There are no estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.

Page 11

 
THE EARLY OPERA COMPANY LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 

 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

4.

Income from donations and legacies





Restricted funds
2025
Unrestricted funds
2025
Total
funds
2025
Total
funds
2024
        £
        £
        £
        £
 



 
Donations

10,038

38,949

48,987

44,367
 
Total 2024


30,702
13,665
44,367


5.

Income from charitable activities




Unrestricted funds
2025
Total
funds
2025
Total
funds
2024
        £
        £
        £




Performance income

18,019

18,019

102,556
 
Total 2024


102,556
102,556


6.

Investment income




Unrestricted funds
2025
Total
funds
2025
Total
funds
2024
        £
        £
        £




Interest receivable

426

426

431
 
Total 2024


431
431


Page 12

 
THE EARLY OPERA COMPANY LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 

 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

7.

Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities


Summary by fund type





Restricted funds
2025
Unrestricted funds
2025
Total
2025
Total
2024
        £
        £
        £
        £





Charitable activities

5,038

56,954

61,992

161,788
 
Total 2024


30,702
131,086
161,788


8.

Analysis of expenditure by activities





Activities undertaken directly
2025
Support costs
2025
Total
funds
2025
Total
funds
2024
        £
        £
        £
        £





Charitable activities

15,573

46,419

61,992

161,788
 
Total 2024


116,091
45,697
161,788


Analysis of direct costs



Total
funds
2025
Total
funds
2024
        £
        £



Production costs

4,950

9,221
 
Performers fees

10,623

106,870
 


15,573
116,091

Page 13

 
THE EARLY OPERA COMPANY LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 

 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

8.Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)

Analysis of support costs



Total
funds
2025
Total
funds
2024
        £
        £



Staff costs

33,690

35,041
 
Management and admin

7,695

6,383
 
Advertisement

1,739

806
 
Insurance

793

821
 
Bank charges

242

200
 
Governance costs

2,260

2,446
 


46,419
45,697


9.

Independent examiner's remuneration

2025
2024
£
£

Fees payable to the Company's independent examiner for the independent examination of the Company's annual accounts
1,425
1,355

Fees payable to the Company's independent examiner in respect of:

All taxation advisory services not included above
640
640

All other services not included above
195
452

Page 14

 
THE EARLY OPERA COMPANY LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 

 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

10.



Staff costs


2025
2024
£
£


Wages and salaries
32,912
34,205

Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes
778
836

33,690
35,041

The average number of persons employed by the Company during the year was as follows:


2025
2024

No.
No.


Employees
1
1

No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.

The trustees consider the general manager to be key management personnel.  The remuneration of key management personnel is shown above.



11.


Trustees' remuneration and expenses

During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2024 - £5,500).

During the year ended 31 March 2025, expenses totalling £NIL were reimbursed (£180 to 1 Trustee) for out of pocket expenses. 


12.

Taxation

2025
2024
£
£

Corporation tax

Adjustments in respect of previous periods
(15,268)
(23,125)

Taxation on net income/(expenditure)
(15,268)
(23,125)

The above tax credit is a claim for Theatre Tax Credit in respect of prior years.

There are no claims identified for Theatre Tax Credit for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Page 15

 
THE EARLY OPERA COMPANY LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 

 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

13.



Debtors


2025
2024
£
£


Due within one year

Other debtors
458
-

Prepayments and accrued income
945
-

Tax recoverable
16,569
3,398

17,972
3,398


14.



Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year


2025
2024
£
£


Other taxation and social security
-
3,642

Other creditors
377
3,404

Accruals and deferred income
3,144
10,745

3,521
17,791

Deferred income represents income received in advance for performances which will take place in the next financial year.


15.



Financial instruments


2025
2024
£
£

Financial assets

Financial assets measured at fair value through income and expenditure
51,170
59,306

51,170
59,306


Financial assets measured at fair value through income and expenditure comprise cash at bank.
Financial assets measured at amortised cost through income and expenditure comprises trade debtors.
Of the cash balance of £51,170 (2024 - £59,306), a total of £NIL (2024 - £9,670) is set aside for costs relating to performances in this financial year and £5,000 (2024 - £NIL) is in respect of income received in advance for costs in the next financial year.  These amounts are included in accruals and deferred income (note 14).

Page 16

 
THE EARLY OPERA COMPANY LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 

 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

16.

Statement of funds


Statement of funds - current year

Balance at 1 April 2024
£
Income
£
Expenditure
£
Taxation
£
Balance at 31 March 2025
£

Unrestricted funds






Designated funds







Pelham Court Trust

2,500

-

-

-

2,500
 

General funds







General Funds - all funds

42,413

57,394

(56,954)

15,268

58,121
 
Total Unrestricted funds




44,913

57,394

(56,954)

15,268

60,621

Restricted funds







Greene Jephtha Recording 

-

38

(38)

-

-
 
Rameau Education Project

-

5,000

(5,000)

-

-
 
Asics and Galatea Education Project

-

5,000

-

-

5,000
 



-
10,038
(5,038)
-
5,000

Total of funds


44,913
67,432
(61,992)
15,268
65,621

Page 17

 
THE EARLY OPERA COMPANY LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 

 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

16.

Statement of funds (continued)



Statement of funds - prior year

Balance at
1 April 2023
£
Income
£
Expenditure
£
Taxation
£
Balance at
31 March 2024
£

Unrestricted funds






Designated funds







Pelham Court Trust

2,500

-

-

-

2,500
 

General funds







General Funds

33,722

116,652

(131,086)

23,125

42,413
 
Total Unrestricted funds




36,222

116,652

(131,086)

23,125

44,913


Restricted funds







Greene Jephtha Recording 

-

30,702

(30,702)

-

-
 


Total of funds


36,222
147,354
(161,788)
23,125
44,913

Restricted Funds
Greene Jephtha Recording - funds raised to produce the recording.
Rameau Education Project - funds raised for the collaborative project with the Royal Academy of Music.
Acis and Galatea Education Project - funds raised for the schools performance. 
Designated Fund
Pelham Court Trust - the above donation has been designated for application to a project to be determined at the discretion of the Board. At the balance sheet date no project had been identified.

Page 18

 
THE EARLY OPERA COMPANY LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 

 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

17.

Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds - current year

Restricted funds
2025
Unrestricted funds
2025
Total
funds
2025
        £
        £
        £



Current assets

5,000

64,142

69,142

Creditors due within one year

-

(3,521)

(3,521)

Total 


5,000
60,621
65,621



Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year

Unrestricted funds
2024
Total
funds
2024
        £
        £


Current assets

62,704

62,704

Creditors due within one year

(17,791)

(17,791)

Total 

44,913
44,913


18.


Pension commitments

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the charity to the fund and amounted to £778 (2024 - £836). Contributions totalling £377 (2024 - £457) were payable to the fund at the balance sheet date.


19.


Members' liability

Each member of the charitable company undertakes to contribute to the assets of the company in the event of it being wound up while he/she is a member, or within one year after he/she ceases to be a member, such amount as may be required, not exceeding £1 for the debts and liabilities contracted before he/she ceases to be a member.



20.


Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions except those mentioned in note 11.

Page 19