Dorset Opera Festival

A few more pictures from our Outreach workshop at Durweston Primary School last week. We had an amazing response from children, teachers and parents alike. Congratulations and many thanks to our Outreach director Lynsey Docherty, tenor Anthony Flaum and pianist Michael Waldron.
If you have a moment, do read these heart-warming comments (and rage over the nudging of music out of this nation’s school curriculum).
"The school has been buzzing all day - this is the best day of te...aching I have ever had! I didn't think I could sing but I can and it turns out I really like it. I wasn't really looking forward to this but now I want to be an opera singer and, what's more, the children have met professional singers and realise it could be their career - I hadn't really thought about this before.”
"We have not found anything to provoke a response from him or engage him in anything or with anyone until today. His face lit up, he sang in front of the whole school and his behaviour all day has been so positive and different.”
"We know that the arts can have an impact on our children with additional needs but this has been something else. What we have experienced today has been the best thing I have ever seen in school as a teacher (of over 20 years experience) in the way ALL the children engaged."
"This was magical. Their eyes were so wide and they were alive - even the naughty ones were joining in. I had never heard any opera in my life but I stayed and listened all afternoon."
"It has been invaluable having male singers in school. The kids have responded very differently to this, especially the boys. We don't have a lot of male role models in school."
"I have never seen my child so animated and engaged by ANYTHING!"
"I had tingles down my spine and had to go away and cry"
"We have found a lot of surprising singers today in school!!”
Job well done!
See More

One for the orchestra...

We are excited to be working with local children at Durweston School as we take opera singers & musicians to make joyous music, sing opera, get creative, be dramatic and make some glorious noise! 🎶
There follows a community opera day this Friday at Durweston Village Hall, with local people of all ages, in a multi generational celebration of opera! Coffee, cake & singing with our musicians & children of Durweston School 10-12 & a fun opera workshop for adults 1-3pm!

There is just ONE ticket left for our final Opera Bluffers' Lunch of the season on June 27th. ⭐️ Who is it going to be? ⭐️

Listen to Mark Steven Doss on the radio at 2pm UK time tomorrow...

Dorset Opera Festival 2019 July 23 - 27 NABUCCO LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR GALA CONCERT of operatic highlights... Country house opera in the heart of Dorset Formal dining | Posh Picnics | Champagne bar Box office dorsetopera.com or 01202 499199
See More

POP-UP OPERA WORKSHOP. Fed up with singing alone in the shower? Come and join our Pop-up chorus workshop tomorrow Saturday 4th May, 10-12am. OPEN TO ALL AGES - part of the Sherborne Abbey Festival - venue Sherborne Girls New Arts Centre - you will be put through your paces by a professional opera team and will join them in performing a pocket size La traviata later the same day outside Waitrose to the delight of your new-found, adoring public. it will be the most fun you've had from £10 in a long while. Elation guaranteed. https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/se lect/jeIaXAdMoDsk

Oh dear. Now we can't un-hear this.

This Friday 3rd May sees the opening of The Sherborne Abbey Festival 2019. We are really pleased to be collaborating this year and bringing some exciting opera to town. On the eve of the festival, THURSDAY 2nd May we are presenting opera at the beautiful and historic inn next to the abbey - The Plume of Feathers. Patrons will enjoy a Italian supper, each course interspersed with well-loved operatic arias. SORRY, SOLD OUT
SATURDAY 4TH MAY 10am at Sherborne Girls new Arts Cent...re POP-UP CHORUS WORKSHOP. Come and join professional opera singers and animateurs for a workshop for singers of all ages and abilities. You will be put you through your paces with a variety of styles and genres, incorporating technique, rhythm, movement and staging exercises. Finally, your newly formed chorus will learn the famous ‘Drinking Song’ from La traviata, and perform it alongside the professionals in an outdoor staged mini-performance later in the day… £10 TICKETS: https://bit.ly/2vFH8wJ
SATURDAY 4TH MAY 3PM outside WAITROSE, SHERBORNE A unique outdoor pocket-sized reduction of Verdi’s masterpiece, La traviata, performed outside Waitrose! As the courtesan Violetta finds love for the first time in Alfredo, the young man cannot escape the shame brought upon his family by their union. As his father’s admonishment of their relationship tears the young couple apart, will Violetta’s secret illness see her die alone? Our three singers, and the morning's workshop participants, perform a passionate portrayal of Verdi’s most loved opera.
See More

Can you sing? Do you like opera? You can sing but have no idea if you like opera but are open to persuasion (we are so going to persuade you)? Have you always secretly fancied yourself in a Hebrew slave / Highland courtier outfit but have no one to talk to? You need to join our chorus in July for 2.5 weeks of the absolute time of your life!! ..

Come to hear Royal Opera singers at a concert in WIMBORNE. NEXT WEEK!

If you'd like to see Verdi's NABUCCO in July, don't delay. We are sold out bar 2 single seats for Saturday 27th July, 17 single seats left on Tuesday 23rd. There is good availability for Thursday 25th July matinée. http://Dorsetopera.com

The Dorset Opera Festival box office opens this coming Tuesday 5th March to the general public. In its 45th year, the festival runs from 23-27th July at Bryanston near Blandford Forum. 3 performances each of Verdi's NABUCCO and Donizetti's LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR. Also a GALA CONCERT of operatic highlights. Box office http://Dorsetopera.com or 01202 499199 from 10am Tuesday. Earlier priority booking for Patrons and Friends.

Bluffers’ Lunch Lecture today. Hugh Watkins is speaking about legendary German bass Hans Hotter and playing some great clips before we sit down for a slap up lunch & wine. This is one of our regular small events run through the year by our events team. Check out our website for the 2019 diary.

The Festival box office is now open for priority booking for Friends of Dorset Opera before opening to the general public 5th March. To become a Friend and immediately qualify for priority booking you can sign up on line here https://www.dorsetopera.com/payment-porta l/ or contact fodo@dorsetopera.com