What a magical evening which came out of the blue.
A last-minute invite to join other friends and patrons of the if Opera Company to enjoy a full rehearsal of their latest production – Bizet’s Carmen.
The company is celebrating its 30th year by performing – for the first time – one of the world’s most loved operas, one that is full of passion, jealousy and fire.
It was a wonderful run-through of a production that opens tomorrow – August 6th, with further performances on the 8th, 12th and 15th of August.
It’s being staged at Church Farm, Wingfield near Trowbridge in Wiltshire in a saddlespan theatre set in the farm’s grounds.
Audiences can picnic in the gardens beforehand or dine at The Cowshed by Homewood restaurant on site.
The Director, James Hurley, has re-imagined Carmen as a Spanish street performer, eking out a living with an impoverished troupe of comic players on the streets of Paris at the end of the nineteenth century.
I am not sure if there are any tickets left, but for more information about the company, click on ifopera.com
Our thanks to Tim and Jo – two talented musicians from the Bristol Ensemble – for inviting us along.
Great setting, great music, imaginative staging, lights, sound and outstanding performances!!
