Dorset Opera are committed to introducing opera to young people in our county. You will know all about our famous chorus summer school but did you also know that we run opera workshops in Dorset schools each summer?

Each year, in the summer’s post-exam period, we run a 5-day residency, giving young people at a Dorset state school the amazing opportunity to work alongside professional opera singers, composers, directors and musicians. The children create their own opera, based on one of that year’s Festival productions. This year students at The Purbeck School in Wareham will be working on Verdi’s Nabucco.

JULY 2019 The Purbeck School, Wareham
Dorset Opera take their team to The Purbeck School in Wareham where, over 5 days, our experienced animateurs will lead the young people through the themes and music of Verdi’s masterpiece, Nabucco, one of Dorset Opera Festival’s 2019 productions. The students will create their own miniature opera using the original Verdi alongside their own compositions.

Working with Lynsey Docherty (singer/ producer), Dominic Harlan (pianist/ composer) and Anna Lawrence (director), the students will experience a full week of putting together the dramatic narrative, composed songs and staging their opera. There are also opportunities for students to work on the staging, lighting, sound engineering and costuming.

At the end of the week there will be a performance for school, staff and parents. Students are given the opportunity to attend the dress rehearsal of Dorset Opera Festival’s summer production.

JUNE 2019 Primary schools & local community
In June we are running some one-day workshops in Dorset primary schools introducing children to professional opera singers and musicians. Our team will create a magical day with a fast-paced singing, drama and movement workshop, culminating in a performance for the whole school, teachers and parents. We will be taking the children and their newly found skills to the local village hall to perform for, and with, older people, in a cross-generation workshop engaging a whole community.

MAY 2019 Collaboration with Sherborne Abbey Festival  sherborneabbeyfestival.org

Thursday 2 May, 2019 @ 7pm 
In an exciting collaboration with the Sherborne Festival, Dorset Opera is involved in co-producing two events. The first brings opera to The Plume of Feathers in Sherborne. As patrons enjoy an Italian supper, each course will be interspersed with glorious singing from professional opera singers. A soprano, tenor and baritone will perform popular opera highlights alongside lighter, fun and witty musical numbers. The seasoned cast whose combined stage experience ranges from the Royal Opera House, English National Opera, Dorset Opera Festival and Iford Opera: Lynsey Docherty (soprano), Anthony Flaum (tenor) & Philip Smith (baritone). SOLD OUT

Pop-Up Chorus Workshop | Saturday 4 May, 2019 @10am-12noon
Join professional opera singers and animateurs for a workshop for singers of all ages and abilities. You will be put you through your paces with a variety of styles and genres, incorporating technique, rhythm, movement and staging exercises. Finally, your newly formed chorus will learn the famous ‘Drinking Song’ from La traviata, and perform it alongside the professionals in an outdoor staged mini-performance later in the day…

La traviata – a Pocket Performance | Saturday 4 May, 2019 @3pm
In our commitment to enabling anyone to enjoy opera, we have collaborated with Sherborne Abbey Festival to create a unique outdoor pocket-sized reduction of Verdi’s masterpiece, La traviata, performed outside Waitrose!
As the courtesan Violetta finds love for the first time in Alfredo, the young man cannot escape the shame brought upon his family by their union. As his father’s admonishment of their relationship tears the young couple apart, will Violetta’s secret illness see her die alone? Our three singers, and the morning’s workshop participants, perform a passionate portrayal of Verdi’s most loved opera. FREE