THERE is grand opera in world-famous venues, country house opera in historic and beautiful gardens – and there is village opera at Oborne, the pretty little village close to Sherborne. Here local music lovers, with Jon and Jenny Fletcher of the Grange at Oborne hotel, have established a small but perfectly-formed summer festival which brings musical theatre from Puccini to silent movies to rural Dorset.
Opera in Oborne opens on 6th August with the first of three performances of Puccini’s great tragic melodrama, Tosca, famous for the peerless soprano aria Vissi d’arte, and the terrifying power of the corrupt and sadistic chief of police, Scarpia. Set in Rome during the Napoleonic Wars, the story focuses on the tempestuous love affair between opera singer Floria Tosca and painter Mario Cavaradossi, caught up in dangerous political intrigues, and Scarpia’s ruthless machination.
Performances are at St Cuthbert’s Church at 7.30pm, on 6th, 8th and 9th August at 7.30pm.
Silent Movies on Thursday 7th August is an invitation to celebrate the heyday of film a century ago, when the sound-scape was provided by live piano accompaniment. For this year’s screening of the classic comedy, Safety Last, the accompaniment will be provided by John Cuthbert. The 1923 film is best known for its iconic image of comedian Harold Lloyd hanging from a clock atop a skyscraper. Lloyd played an unnamed young man who poses as a department-store manager to impress his girlfriend.
Saturday 9th has an afternoon performance of Leonard Bernstein’s one-act opera, Trouble in Tahiti, in the church at 3pm. This portrait of a troubled marriage in 1950s suburban America follows the day-to-day lives of Sam and Dinah, who, despite seeming to have a comfortable life, are unhappy and disconnected from each other. The opera explores themes of marital discontent, consumerism and the search for happiness.
The weekend festival ends with Opera in the Park, on Sunday from 3pm. This open air gala concert of arias and show tunes performed by Opera in Oborne’s talented singers, will be accompanied by John Cuthbert on the piano. The audience is invited to bring a picnic, and enjoy the music, washed down with a glass of Pimms.
For more information visit www.operainoborne.org