Current Events

"a two hour explosion of beautiful music, top-class singing, and exceptional acting… I cannot imagine anyone of any class, age, or tastes, who would have been bored or unmoved"

The popular return of Clementine Lovell and her company Pop-up Opera to the barn, following their hugely enjoyable performances of the comedies Don Pasquale and L'Elisir d'amore over the last two years.

If you have been before, you know you are in for a treat. If you have never seen Opera in the Barn, come along for a magical experience!

Two one-act comic operas Donizetti's Rita and Pergolesi's La Serva Padrona, will be uniquely intertwined to tell stories of love, lust, risk and reconciliation, the characters magically linked together in life's rich tapestry….

Afternoon teas and the bar will open at 2 p.m. and during the interval and after the concert.

Two one-act operas take place on the same stage, their scenes and stories intertwined. One mute servant appears in both, tying the two tales together.

A scene of commotion arises when the dominating Rita and her timid husband Peppe receive an unexpected visit from Rita’s first husband Gaspar. Each believing the other to have died, Gaspar unknowingly arrives seeking Rita's death certificate so he can remarry. Peppe sees it as an opportunity to escape, as Gaspar is still Rita's legal husband. The two men agree to a game, the winner of which will have to stay with Rita. Each of them tries to lose, but Gaspar cunningly manipulates Rita and Peppe to fall in love again.

Meanwhile, wealthy old bachelor Uberto is kept under the thumb of his maid Serpina.

He enlists his manservant Vespone to help him get rid of Serpina by finding him a wife. Serpina convinces Vespone to trick Uberto into marrying her. Their elaborate plan works and by the time Uberto has agreed to marry Serpina he realizes he has loved her all along.

As last year we plan to have some music from mid / late afternoon to entertain the early arrivals

As always, Hilary, John and their team will provide a selection of excellent food from lunchtime.

Last modified: 04/03/13