Diary of Events 2023/24
A diary of forthcoming dates in the year including the Dorset Opera Festival dates, smaller opera events, lunch lectures and other social events.
October 2023
12 October | Bluffers’ Lunch No.62 | My Friend Pavarotti and Other Great Voices | Speaker: David Mellor
Slepe Green BH16 6HS 11:45 – 15:30
Broadcaster, journalist and former politician David Mellor kicks off our 2024 season of lunch lectures with a roam through the whys and wherefores of some of his very favourite opera voices and anecdotes about his friendship with Luciano Pavarotti.
After a 75-minute lecture illustrated with audio-visual clips on the big screen in Slepe Green Barn, we head over into the house for a delicious 2-course lunch with a glass of wine. Back to the barn for a Q&A session and lively discussion over coffee. SOLD OUT
November 2023
09 November | Bluffers’ Lunch No.63 | Speaker: Seymour Adams
Slepe Green BH16 6HS 11:45 – 15:30
After a 75-minute lecture illustrated with audio-visual clips on the big screen in Slepe Green Barn, we head over into the house for a delicious 2-course lunch with a glass of wine. Back to the barn for a Q&A session and lively discussion over coffee. Confirmation of date, speaker and booking link coming soon.
December 2023
14 December | Bluffers’ Lunch No.64 | Speaker: Robert Prance
Slepe Green BH16 6HS 11:45 – 15:30
After a 75-minute lecture illustrated with audio-visual clips on the big screen in Slepe Green Barn, we head over into the house for a delicious 2-course lunch with a glass of wine. Back to the barn for a Q&A session and lively discussion over coffee. Confirmation of date, speaker and booking link coming soon.
15th December| Patrons’ Christmas Party
For Dorset Opera Patrons only, by kind invitation of Rosamond and Tom Sweet-Escott, in their beautiful home at Chettle.
January 2024
Date TBC January | President’s Circle Priority Booking opens
Priority booking for the 2024 Dorset Opera Festival opens for those Patrons belonging to the President’s Circle only. You will receive full booking information by email along with the contact details of your personal booking manager who will call you personally on this date to ensure that all your ticketing, pavilion and dining requirements are met.
Date TBC January | A.G.M.s of Dorset Opera and The Friends of Dorset Opera
The joint AGMs of both organisations will be held at Duke’s Auctioneers, Copper Street, Brewery Square, Dorchester. Drinks and canapés upon arrival. Time: 18:30 for 19:00. RSVP if you plan on coming to info@dorsetopera.com.
Date TBC January | Chairman’s Circle Priority Booking opens.
Priority booking for the 2024 Dorset Opera Festival is open for those Patrons belonging to the Chairman’s Circle and above. You will have received full booking information by email. Box Office: 07570 366186 or online.
February 2024
Date TBC February | Director’s Circle Priority booking opens 8:00 am online. Telephone booking from 10:00am.
Priority booking for the 2024 Dorset Opera Festival is open for those Patrons belonging to the Director’s Circle and above. You will have received full booking information by email. Box Office: 07570 366186 or online.
Date TBC February | Conductor’s Circle Priority Booking opens 8:00am online. Telephone booking from 10:00am.
Priority booking opens for the 2024 Dorset Opera Festival for Patrons belonging to the Conductor’s Circle and above. You will have received full booking details by email. Box Office: 07570 366186 or online.
Date TBC February| Overture Circle Priority Booking opens at 08:00 am online. Telephone booking from 10:00.
Priority booking opens for the 2024 Dorset Opera Festival for Patrons belonging to the Overture Circle. You will have received full booking details by email. Box Office: 07570 366186 or online.
Date TBC February | Friends of Dorset Opera Priority Booking opens at 08:00 am online. Telephone booking from 10:00.
Priority booking opens for the 2024 Dorset Opera Festival for members of the Friends of Dorset Opera. You will have received booking details by email. Box Office: 07570 366186 or online. The lines are VERY busy on Friends booking day. If you have no luck getting through, please leave a message or send an email to boxoffice@dorsetopera.com and we will call you back.
March 2024
Date TBC March | General Booking opens to the public at 08:00 online / 10:00 am by telephone.
Booking opens to the general public. Patrons and Friends are advised to have secured their tickets well before this date. Box Office: 07570 366186 or online at dorsetopera.com. If the telephone is busy please leave a message or send an email to boxoffice@dorsetopera.com and we will call you back.
April 2024
We are updating this diary. Please check back or join our mailing list to be kept up to date with news of all our events.
May 2024
We are updating this diary. Please check back or join our mailing list to be kept up to date with news of all our events.
June 2024
We are updating this diary. Please check back or join our mailing list to be kept up to date with news of all our events.
July 2024
Date TBC July | The move to Bryanston
Dorset Opera ups sticks and moves lock, stock and barrel to Bryanston, as artists and choristers from around the world gather to take part in the Summer School element of this year’s Dorset Opera Festival.
Date TBC July | Patrons’ day at Bryanston
Our Patrons get the opportunity to join us at Bryanston to see how the 2024 operas are progressing. Arrive at Bryanston’s New Music School foyer for morning coffee and pastries at 11:00. You will meet members of our production and technical teams as well as the Dorset Opera board. Follow this with visits to the wardrobe, props department, the chorus rehearsal room and possibly to the theatre to see stage or orchestra rehearsals. Lunch is at 13:00 at which we may be joined by some of our artists, choristers and musicians.
July | Dorset Opera Festival 2024
A week of glorious opera at Bryanston, Dorset DT11 0PS. Priority booking for our supporters from January 2024. Public booking from March.
Bluffers’ Lunches
Bluffers’ Lunches are hosted by Dorset Opera Patrons, Susannah and Bruce Selby Bennett at picturesque Slepe Green, ten mins west of Poole on the A35. Arrive at 11:45 for welcome coffee in the house, then off to the barn for a 75-minute lecture followed by a delicious 2-course lunch with a glass of wine. After lunch, those who would like to return to the barn for more coffee and a lively question and answer session, normally finishing around 15:30.
For further information about Bluffers’ Lunches contact Dorset Opera Festival HQ on
01258 840000 or e-mail the hostess at smh@dorsetopera.com