English country house opera is a careful balance of music, gardens and atmosphere where all must be equal. With our purpose-built auditorium, flower-filled covered dining area, and standout performances, West Green House Opera has moved to the forefront of this genre. We invite you to join us in experiencing one of England's finest traditions.

The box office is open and taking bookings for our 2012 season.
Please click here to download the 2012 opera brochure.

2012 Season

 

Don Giovanni The Merry Widow
 

14 & 15 July 2012
Two Italian Comic Operas:
La Serva Padrona
Gianni Schicchi

Pergolesi's "La Serva Padrona"
Opera in One Act
Sung in English
Translation by Amanda Holden

Italy gave us comic opera and two of its most enduring pieces were written nearly two centuries apart. But what a funny destiny works of art may have! Some are born masterpieces and end up in oblivion, whilst others are designed as unpretentious and become immortal. This happened to "La Serva Padrona" (The Servant Mistress), conceived as nothing more than an "intermezzo" for Pergolesi's serious opera "Il Pregionia Superbo", that no one remembers, while the humble "intermezzo" has achieved a formidable place in history.

West Green House Opera is delighted to announce the return of William Relton to direct this production of Pergolesi's comic gem that is the tale of a conniving maid who manipulates her way to become the mistress of the house. William returns as guest director, following on from his triumphant production of Haydn's" Il Mondo Della Luna " in 2008 with Sweden's Drottningholms Slottsteater at West Green House.

Director: William Relton
Conductor: Jonathan Lyness
Lighting: Neil Daykin
Designer: Richard Studer
The West Green Orchestra
Serpina: Caroline MacPhie
Uberto: Geoffrey Dolton

Puccini's Gianni Schicchi
Opera in One Act
Sung in Italian

Every great soprano sings Puccini's immortal aria "O Mio Babbino Caro" ("Oh my beloved Papa") but where does it come from? It comes from Puccini's unforgettable contribution to Italian comic opera "Gianni Schicchi".

Puccini's brilliant Florentine comedy is regarded as one of the greatest and most sublime small operas and is Puccini's last comic opera and part of a trilogy of one act operas "Il Trittico", that also include the dark "Il Tabarro and Suor Angelica".

This is Puccini at his best with a fast moving plot full of twists and turns as greedy disinherited relatives persuade the wily Gianni Schicchi to rewrite a dead man's will in their favour but...

Although the trilogy is rarely performed, its production by the Royal Opera House in 2011 was played to great acclaim and now West Green House Opera has a new interpretation with Simon Thorpe in the title role completing an evening of great wit and humour.

Director: Richard Studer
Conductor: Jonathan Lyness
Lighting: Neil Daykin
Designer: Richard Studer
The West Green Orchestra
Gianni Schicchi: Simon Thorpe
Lauretta: Victoria Joyce
Rinuccio: Robyn Lyn Evans
Zita: Gaynor Keeble
Nella: Helena Dix
Betto: Robert Presley
Marco: Damian Thantrey
Simone: Sion Goronwy
La Ciesca: Deborah Norman
Gherardo: Paul Hopwood
Spinelloccio / Pinellino: Owen Webb
Amantio: Andrew Conley

Box office opening hours: 10am-4pm Monday - Friday