STOP PRESS!! - SURTITLES FOR Hunyadi László THIS YEAR

Dorset Opera has never before in its 29 year history used surtitles.  This year, because the opera will be sung in Hungarian, we have decided to use surtitles both at Sherborne and at the UCL Bloomsbury.  We hope that this will increase your enjoyment of this tuneful and dramatic opera to be performed in Sherborne on 15th and 16th August in Sherborne, and on 18th August at the UCL Bloomsbury Theatre, London.  For details of the performances and booking arrangements click here.

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Dorset Opera has been producing first class fully staged opera performances with professional full orchestra and soloists and amateur chorus and stage crew since 1974.

“Every year we go it seems better than the last” - Opera-goer

“The friends I have made in Dorset Opera in just two weeks are probably some of the most talented and inspiring individuals I have met” -  Chorus member

“The most rewarding, exciting and above all enjoyable two weeks I have ever spent” - Chorus member

“The opportunity to work with such skilled professionals for two weeks is one not to be missed” - Stage crew member

“Dorset Opera has plenty to teach some jaded metropolitan companies about the the virtues of energy and enthusiasm” - Critic

“Dorset opera [is] among the finest regional opera companies in Britain” - Critic

Dorset Opera is loved and appreciated by performers, critics and opera-goera alike.  But what makes it so special?

Is it the annual miracle of producing and staging a first class performance of a grand opera from scratch within a fortnight?

Is it the educational aspect of the two-week residential workshop, and way it succeeds in inspiring the younger members of the chorus and stage crew?

Is it the relaxed and friendly environment afforded by Sherborne School and the beautiful surroundings?

Or is it the unique way in which  high quality professional soloists, orchestra and production staff blend with an enthusiastic amateur chorus and stage crew to produce performances of such high quality?

Dorset Opera holds a unique place in the opera community.  In this website we aim to share with you a flavour of Dorset Opera, past, present and future - and invite you to join us - as a participant or a spectator - in 2003.

In 2000 we  staged the first ever UK performance of Carlos Gomes’ Salvator Rosa. You can read about the opera or read some of the critics encouraging reviews.

In 2001 we performed Verdi’s Macbeth in a collaborative venture with thre Brazilian opera houses.  Four performances of the same production were given in Belem in April 2002.

Our production for 2002 was Bellini’s Norma, one of the greatest operas of the first half of the 19th Century.  

Our production for 2003 will be Ferenc Erkel’s Hunyadi László, the dramatic and tuneful opera that laid the foundation for a true Hungarian national opera.  This production is in association with the Hungarian Cultural Centre and the soloists and dancers are being provided by the Hungarian State Opera in Budapest.  For full details of this production, which includes one performance at the UCL Bloomsbury Theatre, please click here.

The sudden and tragic death of Patrick Shelley on Friday 9^th May just three weeks short of his 60^th birthday hit all of us associated with Dorset Opera very hard.   He was not just the co-founder of Dorset Opera but a source of huge energy and enthusiasm for so many people, and a very dear friend.  A celebration of Patrick's life is planned for later in the year at Sherborne.  For a tribute to Patrick's life please click here.

You will be pleased to know that this production will still go ahead as planned on 15/16 August in Sherborne, and 18 August in London.  Dominic Wheeler, a past member of Dorset Opera (chorus member in 1986 and repetiteur in 1987 and 1988), whose current and future plans include work with English Touring Opera, English National Opera and Holland Park Opera, has agreed to take Patrick's place.  "He was thrilled and honoured to be asked" and he intends to take Patrick's plans forward and make these performances a tribute to Patrick's selfless devotion to Dorset Opera over the last 29 years.

This year's opera is therefore assured, and the Committee are also determined that Dorset Opera will continue to inspire young people and provide first class opera performances well into the future, as Patrick would have wished. 

Finally, please do not hesitate to contact us, whatever the reason!