THE common image of opera as exclusive and expensive was cheerfully turned on its head yesterday in the streets of York.

The best seats in the house could be had for free when the operatic street performers Boheme treated shoppers to some impromptu opera.

Passers-by were mesmerised by the display and a huge crowd built up to watch the top-notch buskers, who are performing in 50 towns and cities across Britain.

This quintet truly was a breath of fresh aria.

Updated: 11:04 Friday, September 09, 2005