Britain’s leading outdoor touring company perform The Marriage of Figaro
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The annual Chiswick House Friends’ summer opera will take place in Chiswick House grounds on Thursday 10th June. This is the 6th annual summer opera promoted by the Friends and the first time the performance will feature Opera Brava, Britain’s leading outdoor touring company, who will perform THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
The major change for audiences this year, in addition to a change in performers, is the facility to picnic and enjoy the opera simultaneously.
Diane Treganowan, Opera Chairman explains, “The beautiful newly restored gardens at Chiswick House and the partnership with Opera Brava, who have a larger stage and enhanced sound system, will this year allow us to provide a much bigger audience area.
"We have decided not to offer chairs for the public this year but instead the entire rear of the House, from the Ha Ha to the lake, will be reserved for ticket holders to enable everyone to enjoy a picnic supper while the performance is going on.”
As no seating will be provided at all opera lovers are encouraged to bring rugs and their own chairs as required, for maximum comfort.
Tickets are priced as last year at £26. Ticket application forms can be downloaded from the Chiswick House Friends’ website www.chfriends.org.uk
Opera Brava’s The Marriage of Figaro’, sung in English, has all the ingredients of a classic piece of 18th century opera buffa (comic opera). The action takes place in one day and has a liberal sprinkling of farcical humour: “A cast of top-class performers, lavish costumes and period sets – a wonderful cast to perform with,” says Anna Patalong, who plays Susanna.
Opera Brava is now in its 21st year. With many top names from the national and international opera companies in its productions, they have won the acclaim of critics and music professionals, and given pleasure to countless thousands of opera fans.
Jeremy Silver, who has conducted at English National Opera and toured as Principal Conductor in the USA and Africa, is now the musical director of Opera Brava. With the director, Bronek Pomorski, opera fans and newcomers to classical entertainment are in for a real treat this year as Opera Brava comes to Chiswick.
Once again the Food Village will include Fullers who will serve champagne, wine and beer from their pavilion. The newly opened Chiswick House Café (run by Company of Cooks), will provide picnic food and hot beverages from their pavilion. In addition, light pre opera suppers will be served in the Café. Hampers will also be available to pre-order and will be delivered to the Gardens on the day. (Details to be announced)
This year’s event is set to be another wonderful community event and now a mainstay of the June calendar for locals.
April 20, 2010