London Festival Opera in Performance at La Fenice - Venice
London Festival Opera in Performance at La Fenice - Venice

Gran Teatro La Fenice - Venice

In June 2007 the company visited Venice to present a Soirée d'Opéra at one of Italy's most prestigious and historic opera houses the Gran Teatro La Fenice. The theatre saw the premieres of many of Verdi's operas including La Traviata and Rigoletto plus other works by Rossini, Donizetti, Stravinsky and Britten. The performance included music by Purcell, Monteverdi, Mozart, Verdi, Puccini and Bizet and ended with a standing ovation from the international audience for the 'Brinidisi' from La Traviata.
Pamina (Melinda Huhges) & Tamino (David Newman) : Papageno (Philip Blake-Jones) : Sarasto (Timothy Dawkins)
Pamina (Melinda Huhges) & Tamino (David Newman) : Papageno (Philip Blake-Jones) : Sarasto (Timothy Dawkins)

The Magic Flute - Mozart Celebration

To mark Mozart's Anniversary year the company created a new highlight production of 'The Magic Flute'. The sparkling production lasts approximately one hour, is performed in full costume and with piano or instrumental accompaniment. The season of performances began in the magnificent setting of Bury St Edmunds Cathedral and with subsequent performances in Skibo Castle, Home House, at the Windsor Festival and Chelmsford Cathedral Festival and in Italy at the Villa d'Este. The highlight performance can be followed by a programme of popular opera encores in part two of the evening. The performance at Bury St Edmund's was in aid of the Cathedral's Organ Fund and raised a handsome sum for the good cause.
Philip Blake-Jones, Jenny Trew & Yvonne Fontane
Philip Blake-Jones, Jenny Trew & Yvonne Fontane

A trip to India

The company performed on a cruise travelling from the beautiful Seychelles to the bustling city of Mumbai. The trip concluded with a performance at the British Deputy High Commission where Opera Interludes made some wonderful new friends There is significant interest for the company to return for more performances. The stay coincided with the Spring Festival of 'Holi', which includes the popular tradition of splashing everyone with colourful dyes - especially visiting opera singers!

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Sissons and the cast of Opera Interludes
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Sissons and the cast of Opera Interludes

Life on the ocean wave

Cruising is an increasing part of the company's work, and we had a most enjoyable cruise recently which started off in Bermuda and travelled back to Southampton. On board were several media celebrities including Barry Norman, John Cole and Peter Sissons. The company staged a highlight performance of 'La Traviata' plus an Opera Gala and a programme of the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan which were well received. Over Christmas and New Year, the company will be onboard both the QE2 and Queen Mary 2.
Post performance at the Villa D'Este
Post performance at the Villa D'Este

Italian Interlude

The company returned to the magnificent setting of the Villa D'Este on Lake Como. The Villa D'Este is one of the leading world hotels and has been host to a variety of Royalty, aristocrats and movie stars. Opera Interludes presented a selection of popular opera in the stunning mirrored ballroom - a novel experience and an honour to be taking opera to Italy!
Violetta and Germont in Act II of 'La Traviata'
Violetta and Germont in Act II of 'La Traviata'

Tropical Traviata

The company made a successful return visit to Barbados to be part of the Holders Season. Holders is the home of the Johnny Kidd family (whose daughters are Jodie the super model and her sister Jemma the make up artist) and provides a unique tropical setting for an international Festival. Opera Interludes presented a full-scale production of Verdi's La Traviata and an Opera Gala. The cast included the international tenor Justin Lavender who has performed at many of the worlds leading opera houses including Covent Garden, La Scala, and the Vienna State Opera. The performances were a sell out and received rave reviews. There were many well-known faces in the audience including Sir Cliff Richard!
Spice Girl Opera
Baby Spice!

Spice Girl Opera!?

This spring Geri Halliwel threw a lunch party following the christening of her baby daughter. The occasion was the first reunion of the Spice Girls team for some considerable time, which heralded their recent 'come back'. Opera Interludes surprised the guests, which included 'Little Britain' star David Walliams, with an unexpected programme of opera including Mozart, Verdi, Bizet, ending with an operatic version of the Spice Girls hit 'Wannabe'. The paparazzi were out in full force!