An evening of popular arias & opera favourites in the gardens of Chiswick House

Chiswick House Friends announces two nights of opera in the gardens of the historic house next month.

On Wednesday 20th June there will be a Midsummer Gala of popular arias and opera favourites. The following night, Thursday 21st June, a production of Puccini’s Madam Butterfly will be staged. Both performances will be sung in English by Opera Brava, Britain’s leading outdoor touring opera company.

Tickets cost £26 for the Midsummer Gala and £28 for Madam Butterfly. They can be obtained from TicketWeb.co.uk and via the Friends’ website www.chfriends.org.uk (note agency booking fee applies).

The performances will be staged on the magnificent lawns at the rear of Chiswick House in West London and will commence at 7.30pm on both evenings, gates opening in advance at 6pm. Audiences are encouraged to arrive beforehand and make the most of the superb surroundings for picnics on the lawns or a glass of wine or two.

The event’s main sponsor is again local brewer Fuller, Smith & Turner who will provide a bar pavilion in the grounds for purchases of wine, champagne and beer. Food stalls will offer a variety of hot drinks, cheeses, strawberries and small plates for sharing.

Opera Chair Jan Grandison explains: “Summer opera nights at Chiswick House have become the chance for friends to gather from all over London to enjoy some of the most famous operas and popular arias with the backdrop of this stunning 18th century property. Seating is not provided so everyone arrives with rugs, blankets and low chairs and the result is a wonderful casual elegance. It’s opera that’s not stuffy and there’s the chance to picnic at the same time”

Set in Japan at the turn of the century, Puccini's Madam Butterfly is the story of the doomed love of an American naval lieutenant and his young Japanese bride. The opera is considered to be unrivalled in its tragedy and sorrow highlighted by some of Puccini’s most beautiful music.

The Gala Night offers both opera devotees and those with a general love of classical music an inspirational programme of favourite arias including Verdi’s La Traviata, the Flower Duet from Lakme and Bizet’s famous Pearl Fishers duet. The second half of the evening includes a West Side Story medley, songs from Rodgers & Hammerstein and Gershwin melodies. All performed by singers from English National Opera, Covent Garden and international opera houses and sung in English accompanied by the Opera Brava ensemble.

This is the eighth year of opera promoted by Chiswick House Friends and the two nights are expected to sell out well in advance, as in previous years. For more information visit www.chfriends.org.uk and www.operabrava.co.uk

June 14, 2012