The beginnings
It all began with a production of Smetana’s opera, The Bartered Bride, in September 1974 at Sherborne School. Patrick Shelley and Robert Glen, members of the staff at the School, put together a team of professional soloists and orchestra, and an amateur chorus and backstage crew of local young people, and although the venture made a heavy financial loss it was in every other way such a success that it begged to be repeated.
In 1976 Dorset Opera was registered as a charity with the object of presenting opera with professional soloists and orchestra, and at the same time giving large numbers of young people the opportunity to take part in the chorus and other production roles. Since then an opera has been performed every summer to much critical acclaim. For many young people this has been their first exposure to fully staged opera and is frequently the beginning of a lifelong passion.
The Performances
Every summer, Dorset Opera gives at least four performances of a fully staged opera in the original language with full orchestra and professional soloists. The performances are of exceptional quality, attracting the attention of national critics and opera-goers from across the UK and abroad, as well as entertaining local audiences.
It has been a policy of the company to perform a cycle of well known and lesser-known works, always chosen with a view to providing plenty of challenges and excitement for the amateur chorus. Rare works include: the world stage première of Donizetti’s Gabriella di Vergy; what was thought to be the first UK stage performance of Puccini’s Edgar; Verdi’s Un Giorno di Regno; Offenbach’s La Périchole; Glinka’s Russlan and Ludmilla; the first UK stage production of Donizetti’s Maria Padilla; Ponchielli’s La Gioconda; Zeller’s Der Vogelhändler; Massenet's Hérodiade; the European première (and world’s first recording) of Brazilian composer Gomes’ Salvator Rosa; the UK première of the Hungarian composer Erkel’s Hunyadi László; and the British stage première of Puccini’s Turandot with the Berio completion.
The Pearl Fishers 2008
© 2008 Paul J Need
The Performers
Singers, costume makers, set builders, aspiring lighting and sound engineers, technicians, make-up artists, stage crew, administrative assistants and more all come together to work in a genuine co-operation to make an opera.
Whilst people of all ages are welcome, the concentration is on the 16 to 25 year olds, and for many of these young people, Dorset Opera provides their first encounter with the demands of putting on first-class opera. For those singing in the chorus, to learn the chorus part of a complete opera from memory, in a foreign language, in eleven short days, is no mean feat. Those who may have previously sung in choirs are usually stunned and shocked at first by the additional demands made of them in an opera chorus, but with the benefit of vocal and language coaching and working alongside other more experienced chorus members each day, they quickly gain confidence.
It is a tremendous thrill and privilege for these young people to sing and work alongside professionals. This ‘pro-am’ mixture works extremely well for Dorset Opera making it probably the world’s foremost residential opera summer school. The OE Project
In keeping with the educational objectives of Dorset Opera, our Opera-in-Education team regularly introduces the joys of opera to Dorset’s schoolchildren. This takes the form of a mini-workshop where a small team - a répétiteur, two principal singers and an animateur/storyteller - go into the classroom to share opera and its unique experience with a new, younger audience. Not only does this promote Dorset Opera to the young and provide opportunities to recruit chorus members, but also helps to make high art more accessible, giving young people the opportunity to make informed choices about their cultural experiences.
The Success
The best measure of Dorset Opera’s success has to be that people keep coming back for more: the audience, the chorus and stage crew, and the critics.
Over 30 years of productions, Dorset Opera has built an enviable reputation for its first class performances, attracting highly complimentary reviews in national and international publications. For the young people taking part, many go on to develop successful careers in music, opera or the stage, and several have returned to take principal roles in later Dorset Opera productions. Others simply find that their lives have been enriched by the experience and like to stay in touch long after their involvement with Dorset Opera ceases.
Calaf (Wei-Long Tao) in Turandot 2007
© Paul J Need
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The Audiences
There is a demand for opera in Dorset. Mainstream companies infrequently tour to Bristol and Southampton, and limited productions by lesser touring companies pass through Yeovil and Poole. While some of these performances are of undoubted high quality, opera-goers in Dorset want more.
Our audience's enthusiasm for Dorset Opera is legendary. To have high quality opera on their doorstep, performed and produced largely by people of their own community, is a rare treat and the performances are invariably sold out. Dorset Opera’s production is such a high point in the calendar that many take advantage of the long, warm summer evenings and the beautiful grounds, to picnic during the intervals. Others (especially our corporate supporters) choose to take advantage of our champagne receptions and four-course opera dinners, served in the elegant staterooms of Bryanston House. Thus, each performance becomes a memorable occasion, leading to Dorset Opera being dubbed, ‘The Glyndebourne of the South West’.
Picnicking at Dorset Opera on a balmy summer's evening
© 2008 Giles Harvey
The Team
Key to Dorset Opera’s outstanding success is its judicious mix of professionals and amateurs. Artistic Director, Roderick Kennedy, chooses professional soloists from within the UK and abroad, some of whom already have illustrious international careers; some who are on the cusp of a great career, and others who are newcomers and for whom the experience of singing with Dorset Opera has been significant in furthering their ambitions. The outstandingly high calibre of our orchestra attracts quality musicians from major orchestras across the UK.
The company also benefits greatly from the expertise of qualified and committed professionals - conductors, chorus masters, choreographers, directors, set and lighting designers, and costume designers – all working alongside [and inspiring] an enthusiastic team of amateurs and volunteers.
The Summer School
Approximately two weeks prior to the performance, the participants come together for the residential Summer School where they receive professional training and coaching while rehearsing. Meanwhile, technical theatre students are constructing and painting sets, props and making costumes. For two concentrated weeks they live, eat, sleep and work opera.
Relaxing after lunch
For those taking part, the camaraderie, the steep learning curve, working alongside professionals, and not least of all the excitement of taking part in a major opera is an experience not to be forgotten. Many form friendships that last a lifetime. And many of the young singers are so inspired by the experience that they go on to forge careers in music and opera. If you think you would like to join us please click here.
The Venue
Previously, Dorset Opera was based at Sherborne School, but the Summer School and performances now take place in the beautiful setting of Bryanston, near Blandford Forum. The move to Bryanston has provided a more central location in Dorset and has made the performances far more accessible to a much wider audience. The Coade Theatre is particularly well equipped for the staging of opera. The delightful 400 acre grounds provide the perfect setting for picnics à la Glyndebourne; the staterooms of Bryanston House play host to opera dinners for the public and our corporate supporters – thus enriching the experience Dorset Opera’s audiences have come to expect: stunning opera, fine dining, in a beautiful setting, on a glorious summer’s evening. Read more about our venue.
200-400 schoolchildren could experience the 'Dorset Opera Effect' each year!
From 2007 Dorset Opera – with the co-operation of cast and orchestra – made it possible for Dorset schoolchildren to attend our dress rehearsals for the first time. It is our desire to introduce the world of opera to some 200-400 children each year, and in order to make this possible, we are seeking a corporate partner to fund travel and other costs. If your organisation could assist us please get in touch with us via our contact page.
Meeting the Costs
The costs of putting on a first class opera to the standard now expected of us (by chorus and public alike) are considerable. This is in spite of the fact that our soloists are content to accept fees well below the norm and that all our administrative work is unpaid. While some of the production costs are met by ticket sales and a small percentage of the fee paid by our amateur chorus, we invariably have to find about 45% from voluntary sources.
In 2009, we received a small grant from the National Lottery via The Arts Council, and The Friends of Dorset Opera contribute about £9,000 per year. For the remainder of the shortfall we rely almost entirely on the generosity of corporate supporters, grant-making trusts and patrons, to whom we are much indebted. If you would care to help by making a grant or donation, or would like more information on how to do so, please let us know via our contact page.
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