About us

Opera at Bearwood is one of Berkshire, England's newest, energetic and talented local grand opera groups, who…

  • Seek to increase their membership in and around Reading

  • Present one major grand opera production each year, sung in English

  • Offer New Year Opera Concerts based on themes with opera/operatic highlights between its summer spectaculars

  • Rehearse on Tuesday evenings at 7.45 pm in Bearwood Theatre, near Wokingham, Berkshire, England

  • Have received quality press reviews and feedback.

  • Are a registered charity number 1111518

Opera at Bearwood  was  created to bring the grand opera experience to Reading, Wokingham and central Berkshire. The group  wish to communicate their love of this unique medium to an  increasingly aware audience by mainly singing in English so as people can understand the plot.

Formed in Spring 1993, the company's summer productions of Mozart's "
The Marriage of Figaro"  (1994), Bizet's "Carmen" (1995), Mozart's "Don Giovanni"  (1996), Verdi's "La Traviata" (1997), Puccini's "La Bohème"  (1998), Verdi's "Rigoletto" (1999), Rossini's "The Barber of Seville" (2000), Puccini's "Madam Butterfly" (2001) , Gounod's "Faust" (2002) , Bizet's "Carmen" (2003) , Verdi's "Il Trovatore"  (2004), Mozart's "The Magic Flute"(2005). Smetana's "The Bartered Bride"  (2006) and Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor"  (2007) ,  have all been acclaimed by both Press and public alike for their quality and professionalism.

A unique feature is the Group's policy to cast their productions from within the membership wherever possible, provided they can meet the high standards required.

We perform and rehearse at the superb Bearwood Theatre, situated in the lovely grounds of Bearwood College at Winnersh, east of Reading, Berkshire. England. Our productions take advantage of this by presenting a "mini-Glyndebourne" with an invitation to picnic prior to the opera.

If you are interested in hearing more, or in joining us in our operatic adventure either as a producer, patron, backstage staff, technician, or an enthusiastic pair of hands, do come along and meet us at our Tuesday evening rehearsals at the Bearwood Theatre from 7.45-10 pm. We are particular keen to hear from backstage and front of house people.

The 'Friends of Opera at Bearwood' for loyal supporters is now established.  For a small annual fee, the benefits of being a Friend are exclusive invitations to evening soirees and singing events,  meeting  our principals and chorus,  discussing  opera with others, making  new friends with a common interest, suggesting  future productions and participating  in workshops based around our mutual love of opera. Please contact Philippa Neall on 0118 979 4749 so she can send further details to you..


Do come and join us, we'd love to meet you



Who can I contact for more information?                                                  FOR HIRE
                                                                                             
Boosey and Hawkes/Dent version -The Magic Flute
Gillian Williams- Secretary  44 (0)118 926 2394                                Schirmer Vocal  Scores for La Traviata,
Tony Welsh  - Chairman  44  ( 0)1344 780883                      Rigoletto,  La Bohème, Barber of Seville, Lucia,
Alan Williams- Business Manager 44 (0) 118 926 2394                       Il Trovatore. Cramer- Carmen,
                                                                                                                    Opera Choruses- Rutter
                                                                                                 
Contact: Edwin Trout on 0118 966 3759

       FOR SALE
Large Voile Set Suitable for e.g. La Traviata
Contact: Mick Barnes on 01344 775320   

LINKS

.Windsor and Eton Operatic Society
www.windsor-eton-opera.co.uk
East Berkshire Operatic Society
       www.ebos.org.uk
Park Opera
       www.parkopera.org.uk



Email: alan@operaatbearwood.org.uk

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