Waterperry Opera Festival is currently enjoying a triumphant season, with the best still to come!
Continuing until Saturday you can enjoy Mozart’s timeless comedy THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO, a cappella opera SVADBA ‘A WEDDING” and Prokofiev’s PETER AND THE WOLF
There are also staged performances of THE DIARY OF ONE WHO DISAPPEARED by Janáček tell a dark tale of unrequited love, a scenic double bill concert of SIEGFRIED-IDYLL and WESENDONCK LIEDER by Wagner and FLORA, which fuses music and dance in Waterperry Gardens.
Guy Withers, Artistic Director & CEO, says: “Our broad programme has something for everyone, each offering as unique and thrilling as the next to captivate the next generation of audiences as well as our loyal followers.”
Here’s our guide of what to see:
- Festival Music Director Bertie Baigent will conduct Mozart’s timeless comedy THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO on the lawn in front of Waterperry House, on August 18 and August 20 at 6.30pm. Directed by Isabelle Kettle and designed by Charlotte Henery, this bold new production will see some of the UK’s most outstanding emerging operatic talent take to the stage.
2) Rebecca Meltzer, directs Ana Sokolović’s virtuosic a cappella opera SVADBA ‘A WEDDING”, in the Waterperry Amphitheatre on August 18-20 at 4pm. Conducted by Lada Valešová, designed by Grace Venning, and an all-female cast and creative team. Sung in Serbian and lasting an hour, this coming of age tour de force explores the lives of six women on the eve of a wedding. Sokolović’s breath-taking score celebrates sisterhood through ritual, music and dance.
3) Prokofiev’s PETER AND THE WOLF returns to Waterperry Gardens on August 20, this interactive family-friendly favourite, lasts 30 minutes, and is perfect for little ones aged 0+ and adults experiencing classical music for the first time. Directed by Artistic Director Guy Withers, this revival is particularly special as British Sign Language Performer Paul Whittaker OBE is back alongside the musicians and performers.
4) THE DIARY OF ONE WHO DISAPPEARED by Janáček tell a dark tale of unrequited love on August 17 and 19 at 7pm in Waterperry House Ballroom. Performed in English, this staged production is directed by Guy Withers and musically directed by Ashley Beauchamp. This passionate and dark song-cycle carries the audiences on a journey through the highs and lows of love’s emotions.
5) Wagner at Twilight – a scenic double bill concert of SIEGFRIED-IDYLL and WESENDONCK LIEDER by Wagner on 17 and 19 August at 8.30pm. The evening concert of two of Wagner’s small-scale masterpieces is conducted by Bertie Baigent.
6) FLORA, created by violist Anna Semple and dancer Emily Pahlawan Collinson, fuses music and dance in a creative response to the physical forms within Waterperry Gardens. August 18-20 at 3pm.
7) Young Artist Gala – August 19. FREE. Enjoy selected arias and ensembles from a variety of different operas. An exclusive opportunity to witness the talent of the next generation of bright opera stars in the intimate setting of the Waterperry House ballroom.
Guy Withers adds: “We want to make sure there are no barriers to any young person enjoying or engaging with classical music and opera. So our focus this year is to create new audiences for opera with inventive and accessible work, inspiring local young people with free tickets for those under 16, and developing emerging talent with our Young Artist Programme.”
To book go to: https://www.waterperryoperafestival.co.uk
