Music lovers will be delighted with the return of opera at West Green House Gardens.

West Green House, situated around 13 miles south of Reading, has become a celebrated haven for emerging artists in the realm of International Opera.

Founded by Australian garden designer Marylyn Abbott, the small charity merges the allure of English Gardens with a thriving opera scene.

Amid pandemic challenges, the 2021 opera festival was moved to a specially designed outdoor theater on the lake's island, ensuring social distancing and providing much-needed contracts for performers and creative teams. The resounding success has led to it becoming a permanent feature.

The 2023 season lineup at the Thackham's Lane venue in Hook, North Hampshire, is hosting a number of events from July 21 until July 30.

"Constanze or ‘The death of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart through the eyes of the love of his life’" kicks off on July 21 at 8:45 pm, followed by "Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" on July 22 and 23 at 6:45 pm.

Additional highlights include the Young Artists Lunchtime Concert on July 23rd at 12 noon and "Oz & Armonico Drink to Music" on July 25 at 7:30 pm. A concert staging of "Offenbach’s Robinson Crusoe" takes place on July 28 at 7:00 pm.

The season concludes with "Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana & Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci," known as 'Cav & Pag,' on July 29 and 30 at 6:30pm.

All performances occur undercover, and the main stage on the lake's island, adorned with captivating lighting, provides a unique visual experience.

The full list of dates for the performances are:

  • July 21 - Mozart's Constanze or ‘The death of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart through the eyes of the love of his life’
  • July 22 and July 23 - Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
  • July 25 - Oz & Armonico Drink to Music, in the Theatre Lawn Pavillion
  • July 28 - Offenbach’s Robinson Crusoe, a concert staging
  • July 29 & July 30 - Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana & Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, ‘Cav & Pag’

All performances are under cover and main stage performances include a 70-minute dining interval.

Artistic director Kirsty Hopkins said: "At West Green House Opera we offer a completely unique theatrical experience to our audiences. Our Theatre on the Lake with the stunning West Green House Gardens lit behind the stage is so spectacular that more and more world class singers are coming to sing in our productions. 

"This year we have performers joining us who regularly sing at Covent Garden, English National Opera, The New York Met and London’s West End. We also pride ourselves on working with the hottest young artists giving them vital experience at the beginning of their careers. Every year we’re getting more ambitious with our productions, bringing outstanding evenings of entertainment to our corner of Hampshire."

Kirsty added: "The setting of the lovely gardens is totally idyllic. Audiences sit in a covered glass pavilion affording an incredible view of the stage which is built on the island on our lake and as the music wafts into the night air, swans and geese glide by on the water.”

Reading Chronicle:

More information on these events can be found at westgreenhouseopera.co.uk.