Country house opera
Encyclopedia
Country house opera is opera
performed at a country house, whether in the house itself, in the grounds, or in an adapted or purpose built theatre in the grounds. It is a feature in particular of the English
summer. Country house opera is usually initiated by private enthusiasts, and relies on private funding. This distinguishes it from the UK's state subsidised opera companies which, like most opera houses around the world, are based in city centres. Black tie
is often de rigueur, in contrast with Covent Garden
and other city operas where casual clothing is often acceptable.
The performances of country house opera are generally planned to provide a leisurely and elegant experience, with time for picnics on the lawns or a full meal in the interval, and often start in the late afternoon. "The English have always liked picnicking in the summer and if you can throw in a bit of entertainment, then that's even better" said a former manager at the Sydney Opera House, attributing the popularity of country house opera in England to "the wonderful adventurous spirit of the British.... The British like to go out and find a new place. No one in Australia would go out if they had to take a picnic and it was going to rain."
The most important landmark in country house opera was the opening of Glyndebourne Opera House in 1934. Glyndebourne has gradually expanded so that it now has a 1,200-seat theatre and is one of the most prominent opera companies in the United Kingdom, performing both at its home venue and on tour. Other venues which put on a regular season include Garsington Opera
, The Dorset Opera Festival at Bryanston in Dorset, Longborough Festival Opera
in Gloucestershire, Grange Park Opera
in Hampshire, Bampton Classical Opera
in Oxfordshire and Opéra de Baugé
, established by an English family in the Loire Valley
. There are also a number of touring companies that tour to several country houses each summer.
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
performed at a country house, whether in the house itself, in the grounds, or in an adapted or purpose built theatre in the grounds. It is a feature in particular of the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
summer. Country house opera is usually initiated by private enthusiasts, and relies on private funding. This distinguishes it from the UK's state subsidised opera companies which, like most opera houses around the world, are based in city centres. Black tie
Black tie
Black tie is a dress code for evening events and social functions. For a man, the main component is a usually black jacket, known as a dinner jacket or tuxedo...
is often de rigueur, in contrast with Covent Garden
Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to as simply "Covent Garden", after a previous use of the site of the opera house's original construction in 1732. It is the home of The Royal Opera, The...
and other city operas where casual clothing is often acceptable.
The performances of country house opera are generally planned to provide a leisurely and elegant experience, with time for picnics on the lawns or a full meal in the interval, and often start in the late afternoon. "The English have always liked picnicking in the summer and if you can throw in a bit of entertainment, then that's even better" said a former manager at the Sydney Opera House, attributing the popularity of country house opera in England to "the wonderful adventurous spirit of the British.... The British like to go out and find a new place. No one in Australia would go out if they had to take a picnic and it was going to rain."
The most important landmark in country house opera was the opening of Glyndebourne Opera House in 1934. Glyndebourne has gradually expanded so that it now has a 1,200-seat theatre and is one of the most prominent opera companies in the United Kingdom, performing both at its home venue and on tour. Other venues which put on a regular season include Garsington Opera
Garsington Opera
Garsington Opera is an annual open air summer opera festival founded in 1989 by Leonard Ingrams. For twenty one years it was held in the gardens of Leonard Ingrams' home at Garsington Manor in Oxfordshire. Since 2011 the festival is now held in Wormsley Park, the home of the Getty family near High...
, The Dorset Opera Festival at Bryanston in Dorset, Longborough Festival Opera
Longborough Festival Opera
Longborough Festival Opera is an opera festival held in an opera house in Longborough, a village in north Gloucestershire.Longborough Festival Opera presents a season of high quality opera in the English Cotswolds each June and July It started life in 1991 as Banks Fee Opera...
in Gloucestershire, Grange Park Opera
Grange Park Opera
Grange Park Opera is a professional opera company whose base is The Grange in Hampshire, England. The company was founded in 1998 by Wasfi Kani OBE and Michael Moody...
in Hampshire, Bampton Classical Opera
Bampton Classical Opera
Bampton Classical Opera is an opera company based in Bampton, Oxfordshire specialising in the production of lesser known opera from the Classical period...
in Oxfordshire and Opéra de Baugé
Opéra de Baugé
Opéra de Baugé is a country house opera held each summer since 2003 in the gardens of Les Capucins, a private house and former convent near the Loire town of Baugé, 40 kilometres east of Angers, France...
, established by an English family in the Loire Valley
Loire Valley
The Loire Valley , spanning , is located in the middle stretch of the Loire River in central France. Its area comprises approximately . It is referred to as the Cradle of the French Language, and the Garden of France due to the abundance of vineyards, fruit orchards, and artichoke, asparagus, and...
. There are also a number of touring companies that tour to several country houses each summer.