This week sees performances by Stowe Opera of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro at Winslow Hall in Buckinghamshire. Performances started on 21 July and run until 29 July. They are directed by Yvonne Fontane who sings the Countess and conducted by Robert Secret, founder of the opera company. This represents a welcome return for a company which from 1995 to 2006 gave a highly regarded annual summer season of opera at Stowe but his since been rather quiet. Previous successes have included Les Contes d'Hoffmann, La Traviata, Hansel and Gretel, Rusalka and Il Trovatore.
Building works put paid to performances at Stowe, and now the company has been offered a home by restaurateur Christopher Gilmour. A few years ago Gilmour bought Winslow Hall in Winslow, generally regarded as being to designs by Sir Christopher Wren and for many, the perfect small English country house. Since buying the house Gilmour has been devoting himself to all the repairs that were necessary but now feels able to welcome the opera company. This year they are performing just one opera, but Gilmour hopes to be able to present two operas over two weeks next year.
Further details at the Stowe Opera website.
Went to the final performance on Sunday and it was AMAZING. Was a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon! This was the first year and lets hope that there are many, many more.
Loved every second of it from the performance, the grounds, the staff - even the porta loo was the best I have seen in a long time!.
To everyone involved - keep them coming this event will grow and grow in status every year.