It’s the time of year when opera steps out of the major opera houses and into the glorious enchantment of a British summer’s evening. 

For those who like their opera inside but their intervals outside, Glyndebourne Festival Opera and Garsington Opera at Wormsley have already started. Over the next two weeks: 

• Grange Park Opera open their doors at West Horsley Place
• Longborough Festival Opera welcomes Wagner fans
• Nevill Holt Opera will be ushering in audiences to their brand new theatre

For those who prefer a more al fresco experience, the open-sided canopy at Opera Holland Park offers the best of both worlds, just minutes from central London. You’ll also find open air opera at a variety of National Trust properties this summer, from Puccini’s La Bohème at Leith Hill Place to Handel’s Samson in the Rectory Garden at Wimpole.

Opera in your back garden

Opera doesn’t have to be huge scale to be enjoyable. Enterprising, small scale opera companies have long been filling unusual spaces with opera, raising money for charities or celebrating special birthdays alike. It doesn’t have to be a ‘full’ opera either; if you just want a selection of the ‘best bits’ sung by a tenor on your terrace and a soprano outside your shed, just ask!

We’ve got three terrific opera companies right here at Matters Musical, all offering great opera performances for your outside space, marquee, or village hall.

Hatstand Opera are past masters at ‘go anywhere’ opera. Over the last 20 years they’ve entertained guests in almost every space imaginable, from ruined castles to military museums, public parks to pig fields, and numerous gardens ranging from the vast to the pocket handkerchief! Always entertaining and enjoyable for newbies and opera buffs alike, Hatstand specialise in opera highlights with piano accompaniment, for a perfect chocolate box assortment for any event.

Oyster Opera are perfect for a party, thanks to their rare knack of picking just the right person to serenade, and those who just love to sit and listen! Book a duet of ladies or a trio (the choice is yours) to perform with orchestral backing tracks at your celebration dinner after the main course and again after dessert, for a lovely evening of dining and singing. 

Operatico are four male opera singers who bring style and operatic finesse to any event, a la Il Divo. Choose from their signature Opera Classics show, their Pop to Opera “crossover”, a sensational Rat Pack, or ‘top secret’ James Bond theme show. Talking of top secret, the group can also go undercover as guests or waiting staff at your party, suddenly bursting into song to delight and surprise your real guests.

Bespoke opera for your special event

Got something special you want to celebrate with song? A product to launch or a wedding to wow? Our opera companies have the talent and experience to create a bespoke performance just for your event, to your specifications.

Call us with your requirements and we’ll compose a quote that hits all the right notes.