Diary of Events 2023
A diary of all forthcoming dates in the year including the Dorset Opera Festival dates, smaller opera events, lunch lectures and other social events.
January 2023
24th January | President’s Circle Priority Booking opens
Priority booking for the 2023 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.
26th January | With apologies, the Bluffers’ Lunch that was planned for this date is postponed.
30th 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.
31st January | Chairman’s Circle Priority Booking opens.
Priority booking for the 2023 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 2023
7th February | Director’s Circle Priority booking opens 8:00 am online. Telephone booking from 10:00am.
Priority booking for the 2023 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.
14 February | Conductor’s Circle Priority Booking opens 8:00am online. Telephone booking from 10:00am.
Priority booking opens for the 2023 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.
21 February | Overture Circle Priority Booking opens at 08:00 am online. Telephone booking from 10:00.
Priority booking opens for the 2023 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.
23 February | Bluffers’ Lunch No.58. | Is Opera National?
£30 per person. Slepe Green BH16 6HS 11:45 – 15:30
In the 19th century some composers, inspired by dreams of national independence, wrote operas based on heroic past events or promoting local folklore and legends. Adrian Thorpe will introduce some of these works, which today are still promoted as the “National Opera” of some country or other. Does that concept make sense – or is it just the distortion for local propaganda purposes of what should be an international art form?
After Adrian’s 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. GET TICKETS
28 February | Friends of Dorset Opera Priority Booking opens at 08:00 am online. Telephone booking from 10:00.
Priority booking opens for the 2023 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 2023
14th 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.
30 March | Bluffers’ Lunch No.59 | Opera in Film
£30 per person. Slepe Green BH16 6HS 11:45 – 15:30
An exploration of how opera features in the movies. Dorset Opera chairman emeritus Alan Frost takes us on an eccentric ramble through the operatic countryside as seen and heard in films; meeting on the way Mignon, Mickey Mouse, Melancholy and Mafiosi. 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. GET TICKETS
April 2023
17th April | The Berlin Lunch
A special Bluffers’ Lunch especially for those who are joining our trip to Berlin later in April. Our two speakers, Hugh Watkins and Adrian Thorpe, will enlighten us on the operas we will see whilst we are there before we enjoy a delicious 2-course lunch with wine. Sorry this is for Berlin-goers only – please make sure are logged in to your box office account GET TICKETS
May 2023
11 May | Bluffers’ Lunch No.60! | “I want to set a prize fight to music”
£30 per person. Slepe Green BH16 6HS 11:45 – 15:30
Dr Richard Hall presents a lecture on the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams. 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. GET TICKETS
June 2023
22 June | Bluffers’ Lunch No.61 | This summer’s operas
£30 per person. Slepe Green BH16 6HS 11:45 – 15:30
In a change to the previously advertised speaker, award-winning journalist Adrian Mourby takes us on a colourful romp through the backgrounds to this season’s Festival operas, Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro and Massenet’s Le roi de Lahore. 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. GET TICKETS
July 2023
12th July | The move to Bryanston
Dorset Opera ups sticks and moves itself, 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.
21st July | Patrons’ day at Bryanston
Our Patrons get the opportunity to join us at Bryanston to see how the 2023 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. To book, please email Patrons’ secretary, Elspeth Brown, at elsp21@gmail.com to let her know if you are attending and remind her if you have special dietary requirements. Sorry, this event is for Patrons only and is limited to the first 80 to book.
24th – 29th July | Dorset Opera Festival 2023
A week of glorious opera at Bryanston, Dorset DT11 9LH. Priority booking to Patrons and Friends of Dorset Opera from January 2023. From 14th March the box office is open to all.
25 July 2023 | Dorset Opera Festival: Le nozze di Figaro | 19:00 in the Coade Theatre, Bryanston.
Picnic Hampers (to pre-order), Purbeck Ice Cream (foyer), Pol Roger Champagne, marquee bar – all available at this performance. Box office
26 July 2023 | Dorset Opera Festival: Le roi de Lahore | 19:00 in the Coade Theatre, Bryanston.
Picnic Hampers (to pre-order), Purbeck Ice Cream (foyer), Pol Roger Champagne, marquee bar – all available at this performance. Box office
27 July 2023 | Dorset Opera Festival: Le nozze di Figaro | 14:00 in the Coade Theatre, Bryanston.
Picnic Hampers & afternoon tea (to pre-order), Purbeck Ice Cream (foyer), Pol Roger Champagne, marquee bar – all available at this performance. Box office
27 July 2023 | Dorset Opera Festival: Le roi de Lahore | 19:00 in the Coade Theatre, Bryanston.
Picnic Hampers (to pre-order), Purbeck Ice Cream (foyer), Pol Roger Champagne, marquee bar – all available at this performance. Box office
28 July 2023 | Dorset Opera Festival: Le nozze di Figaro | 19:00 in the Coade Theatre, Bryanston.
Formal 4-course dining in Bryanston House (to pre-order), Picnic Hampers (to pre-order), Purbeck Ice Cream (foyer), Pol Roger Champagne, marquee bar – all available at this performance. Box office
29 July 2023 | Dorset Opera Festival: Le roi de Lahore| 14:00 in the Coade Theatre, Bryanston.
Picnic Hampers and afternoon tea (to pre-order), Purbeck Ice Cream (foyer), Pol Roger Champagne, marquee bar – all available at this performance. Box office
29 July 2023 | Dorset Opera Festival: Le nozze di Figaro | 19:00 in the Coade Theatre, Bryanston.
Formal 4-course dining in Bryanston House (to pre-order). Picnic Hampers (to pre-order), Purbeck Ice Cream (foyer), Pol Roger Champagne, marquee bar – all available at this performance. Box office
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