Opera takes stage at cathedral school (From Salisbury Journal)

Opera takes stage at cathedral school

11:11am Thursday 19th July 2012 in Entertainments

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO, WINTERBOURNE OPERA

WINTERBOURNE Opera have taken up residency at Salisbury Cathedral School for their summer production of Mozart’s wonderful comic opera, The Marriage of Figaro.

In previous years the company has performed in the barn at The Grange in Winterbourne Gunner but as this venue is unavailable this year, it decided on the intimate setting of the Big Music Room at the Cathedral School.

“It will be a totally different way of doing an opera,” says director Ben Occhipinti.

“It should make it exciting for an audience to be so close to the performers.”

The opera is being set in the 1980s.

“This is also a little different,”

says Ben. “We are trying to make the setting as realistic as we possibly can. It will be colourful and fun. All the soloists are young professionals at the start of their careers. It is a great opportunity to see the stars of the future.”

Returning to Winterbourne Opera is Vanessa Bowers in the role of Susanna and Jessica Broad as The Countess. Jessica Broad took the lead role in the company’s 2011 production of Dido and Aeneas.

The Marriage of Figaro is being performed on four occasions, next Wednesday July 25, July 26, July 28 all at 6.30pm and 2pm on Sunday July 29.

Gates will open at 5pm and 12 noon on Sunday and audiences are invited to bring a picnic to enjoy in the school grounds. Organisers would like to point out the opera is being performed on the first floor of a listed building without a lift and that this may cause access problems for the disabled.

Tickets are available from 01980 611200.