Aug
10
Sat
2024
Bartolo: Barber of Seville @ Waterperry Opera Festival
Aug 10 @ 6:30 pm
Performances on the 10, 11, 14, 15 & 17 of August 2024
Location: Waterperry Main Stage
Start Time & DurationPerformances start at 6:30pm. There is one extended dining interval. Performances end at approx. 9:45pm.

Overflowing with wit, charm, and famous melodies, The Barber of Seville is our unmissable headline opera this year. Step into Rossini’s vibrant world, a whirlwind of comedic chaos and romantic mischief performed on our main stage in front of the glorious façade of Waterperry House.

In the bustling streets of Seville, the charming and quick-witted Figaro, barber extraordinaire, concocts a cunning plan to help his lovelorn friend, Count Almaviva, win the heart of the beautiful Rosina. With hilarious disguises and mischievous schemes, Figaro orchestrates a series of escapades to outwit Rosina’s overbearing guardian, Dr. Bartolo, who has his own designs on marrying her for her wealth. As the plot twists and turns, audiences are treated to Rossini’s lively melodies and effervescent arias that evoke laughter and joy.

Opera by Gioachino Rossini.

Performed in English on our Main Stage in front of Waterperry House.

​English Translation by Christopher Cowell.

Aug
11
Sun
2024
Bartolo: Barber of Seville @ Waterperry Opera Festival
Aug 11 @ 6:30 pm
Performances on the 10, 11, 14, 15 & 17 of August 2024
Location: Waterperry Main Stage
Start Time & DurationPerformances start at 6:30pm. There is one extended dining interval. Performances end at approx. 9:45pm.

Overflowing with wit, charm, and famous melodies, The Barber of Seville is our unmissable headline opera this year. Step into Rossini’s vibrant world, a whirlwind of comedic chaos and romantic mischief performed on our main stage in front of the glorious façade of Waterperry House.

In the bustling streets of Seville, the charming and quick-witted Figaro, barber extraordinaire, concocts a cunning plan to help his lovelorn friend, Count Almaviva, win the heart of the beautiful Rosina. With hilarious disguises and mischievous schemes, Figaro orchestrates a series of escapades to outwit Rosina’s overbearing guardian, Dr. Bartolo, who has his own designs on marrying her for her wealth. As the plot twists and turns, audiences are treated to Rossini’s lively melodies and effervescent arias that evoke laughter and joy.

Opera by Gioachino Rossini.

Performed in English on our Main Stage in front of Waterperry House.

​English Translation by Christopher Cowell.

Aug
14
Wed
2024
Bartolo: Barber of Seville @ Waterperry Opera Festival
Aug 14 @ 6:30 pm
Performances on the 10, 11, 14, 15 & 17 of August 2024
Location: Waterperry Main Stage
Start Time & DurationPerformances start at 6:30pm. There is one extended dining interval. Performances end at approx. 9:45pm.

Overflowing with wit, charm, and famous melodies, The Barber of Seville is our unmissable headline opera this year. Step into Rossini’s vibrant world, a whirlwind of comedic chaos and romantic mischief performed on our main stage in front of the glorious façade of Waterperry House.

In the bustling streets of Seville, the charming and quick-witted Figaro, barber extraordinaire, concocts a cunning plan to help his lovelorn friend, Count Almaviva, win the heart of the beautiful Rosina. With hilarious disguises and mischievous schemes, Figaro orchestrates a series of escapades to outwit Rosina’s overbearing guardian, Dr. Bartolo, who has his own designs on marrying her for her wealth. As the plot twists and turns, audiences are treated to Rossini’s lively melodies and effervescent arias that evoke laughter and joy.

Opera by Gioachino Rossini.

Performed in English on our Main Stage in front of Waterperry House.

​English Translation by Christopher Cowell.

Aug
17
Sat
2024
Bartolo: Barber of Seville @ Waterperry Opera Festival
Aug 17 @ 6:30 pm
Performances on the 10, 11, 14, 15 & 17 of August 2024
Location: Waterperry Main Stage
Start Time & DurationPerformances start at 6:30pm. There is one extended dining interval. Performances end at approx. 9:45pm.

Overflowing with wit, charm, and famous melodies, The Barber of Seville is our unmissable headline opera this year. Step into Rossini’s vibrant world, a whirlwind of comedic chaos and romantic mischief performed on our main stage in front of the glorious façade of Waterperry House.

In the bustling streets of Seville, the charming and quick-witted Figaro, barber extraordinaire, concocts a cunning plan to help his lovelorn friend, Count Almaviva, win the heart of the beautiful Rosina. With hilarious disguises and mischievous schemes, Figaro orchestrates a series of escapades to outwit Rosina’s overbearing guardian, Dr. Bartolo, who has his own designs on marrying her for her wealth. As the plot twists and turns, audiences are treated to Rossini’s lively melodies and effervescent arias that evoke laughter and joy.

Opera by Gioachino Rossini.

Performed in English on our Main Stage in front of Waterperry House.

​English Translation by Christopher Cowell.

Nov
1
Fri
2024
Corrado: Maria de Rudenz, Donizetti @ Battersea Arts Centre
Nov 1 @ 7:30 pm

This Halloween, Gothic Opera presents Maria de Rudenz by Donizetti, fully staged with a new arrangement for chamber orchestra, at historic venue Battersea Arts Centre, London. This production will be the first time Maria de Rudenz has been staged in the UK. 

Maria de Rudenz is inspired by an episode of Matthew Gregory Lewis’s gothic novel The Monk, and tells a gory story of deceit, murder, betrayal, and resurrection from the dead. It premiered in 1838 in Venice. 

Friday 1 November, 7.30pm
Saturday 2 November, 7.30pm

Director: Lysanne van Overbeek
Conductor:
Anna Castro Grinstein

Maria: Lorna McLean
Corrado: Kieran Rayner
Enrico: Davide Basso
Mathilde: Béatrice de Larragoïti
Rambaldo: Gheorghe Palcu
Chancellor: Jamie Formoy
Chorus:
Valerie Wong
Katey Rylands
Alexander White
Samuel Snowden
Joe Ashmore

Nov
2
Sat
2024
Corrado: Maria de Rudenz, Donizetti @ Battersea Arts Centre
Nov 2 @ 7:30 pm

This Halloween, Gothic Opera presents Maria de Rudenz by Donizetti, fully staged with a new arrangement for chamber orchestra, at historic venue Battersea Arts Centre, London. This production will be the first time Maria de Rudenz has been staged in the UK. 

Maria de Rudenz is inspired by an episode of Matthew Gregory Lewis’s gothic novel The Monk, and tells a gory story of deceit, murder, betrayal, and resurrection from the dead. It premiered in 1838 in Venice. 

Friday 1 November, 7.30pm
Saturday 2 November, 7.30pm

Director: Lysanne van Overbeek
Conductor:
Anna Castro Grinstein

Maria: Lorna McLean
Corrado: Kieran Rayner
Enrico: Davide Basso
Mathilde: Béatrice de Larragoïti
Rambaldo: Gheorghe Palcu
Chancellor: Jamie Formoy
Chorus:
Valerie Wong
Katey Rylands
Alexander White
Samuel Snowden
Joe Ashmore

Feb
13
Thu
2025
Ernesto: Il Pirata, Bellini
Feb 13 @ 5:30 pm

Gualtiero – Il Pirata himself – was Imogene’s first love, but he has been a pirate on the high seas since a feud with Ernesto. Imogene was forced to marry Ernesto and together they have a son. The opera opens with a storm and Gualtiero is shipwrecked on the rocks of Ernesto’s island… the drama begins! As Gualtiero and Ernesto fight over Imogene, who will emerge victorious? You’ll have to come along and find out!

We’ve started rehearsals already, all my cast mates and the creative team are both talented and lovely (ideal!), already I can tell this is going to be a special show.

Performances are on 13th, 15th & 16th February at 5:30pm.

Gates open: 4:30pm

Dinner interval: 6.30 – 7.30pm.

CAST:

Imogene: Rebecca Ryan

Gualtiero: Zachary McCulloch

Ernesto: Kieran Rayner

Itulbo: Scott Biezett

Adele: Alexandra Appleby Woodhouse

Solitario: William McElwee

Director: Rhona Fraser

Conductor: Mark Carter

Repetiteur: Catherine Norton

Sung in Italian with chorus and orchestra.

Address:

Canna House

24 Moana Rd, Days Bay

Wellington

Booking is now open here.

Feb
15
Sat
2025
Ernesto: Il Pirata, Bellini
Feb 15 @ 5:30 pm

Gualtiero – Il Pirata himself – was Imogene’s first love, but he has been a pirate on the high seas since a feud with Ernesto. Imogene was forced to marry Ernesto and together they have a son. The opera opens with a storm and Gualtiero is shipwrecked on the rocks of Ernesto’s island… the drama begins! As Gualtiero and Ernesto fight over Imogene, who will emerge victorious? You’ll have to come along and find out!

We’ve started rehearsals already, all my cast mates and the creative team are both talented and lovely (ideal!), already I can tell this is going to be a special show.

Performances are on 13th, 15th & 16th February at 5:30pm.

Gates open: 4:30pm

Dinner interval: 6.30 – 7.30pm.

CAST:

Imogene: Rebecca Ryan

Gualtiero: Zachary McCulloch

Ernesto: Kieran Rayner

Itulbo: Scott Biezett

Adele: Alexandra Appleby Woodhouse

Solitario: William McElwee

Director: Rhona Fraser

Conductor: Mark Carter

Repetiteur: Catherine Norton

Sung in Italian with chorus and orchestra.

Address:

Canna House

24 Moana Rd, Days Bay

Wellington

Booking is now open here.

Feb
16
Sun
2025
Ernesto: Il Pirata, Bellini
Feb 16 @ 5:30 pm

Gualtiero – Il Pirata himself – was Imogene’s first love, but he has been a pirate on the high seas since a feud with Ernesto. Imogene was forced to marry Ernesto and together they have a son. The opera opens with a storm and Gualtiero is shipwrecked on the rocks of Ernesto’s island… the drama begins! As Gualtiero and Ernesto fight over Imogene, who will emerge victorious? You’ll have to come along and find out!

We’ve started rehearsals already, all my cast mates and the creative team are both talented and lovely (ideal!), already I can tell this is going to be a special show.

Performances are on 13th, 15th & 16th February at 5:30pm.

Gates open: 4:30pm

Dinner interval: 6.30 – 7.30pm.

CAST:

Imogene: Rebecca Ryan

Gualtiero: Zachary McCulloch

Ernesto: Kieran Rayner

Itulbo: Scott Biezett

Adele: Alexandra Appleby Woodhouse

Solitario: William McElwee

Director: Rhona Fraser

Conductor: Mark Carter

Repetiteur: Catherine Norton

Sung in Italian with chorus and orchestra.

Address:

Canna House

24 Moana Rd, Days Bay

Wellington

Booking is now open here.

May
8
Thu
2025
Gibaud: The Dowager’s Oyster @ The Reform Club
May 8 @ 7:00 pm

The Dowager’s Oyster – An Operetta

Presented by Cantata Dramatica
Music: Louis Mander
Lyrics: Jack Cherry & George Logan
Performance date: Thursday 8 th May, 2025
Venue: The Reform Club, Pall Mall, London
Production team
MD – Louis Mander
Director – Peter Champness
Producer/Designer – Louisa Petais

The Dowager’s Oyster is a comic operetta composed by Louis Mander with a
libretto by Jack Cherry. It premiered in 2016 at the Grimeborn Festival in
London’s Arcola Theatre. The operetta is set in 1924, blending murder mystery
with comedic farce, often compared stylistically to Agatha Christie’s intrigue
and the humor of Gilbert and Sullivan. The plot follows Lady Tindale (the
Dowager) and her daughter Cynthia as they travel to France for a holiday. The
trip is peppered with gossip, misunderstandings, and scandal involving
Cynthia’s fiancé, Freddy, who is secretly in Morocco with his lover. The story
takes a darker turn when the Dowager is murdered during a lunch, leading to a
whodunnit investigation by Dr. Gibaud, a pompous detective. The operetta
combines satire, wit, and social commentary, making it a lighthearted yet
sharp theatrical piece. Louis Mander’s composition received praise for its
engaging musical style, while the production was noted for its vibrant portrayal
of 1920s settings and eccentric characters.