How it all began / Carmen

ANTONIA FILMER

Whilst quietly looking for an antidote to the horsey life my husband and daughter lead I went to a performance of Don Giovanni by Opera A La Carte at Walcot Hall in Shropshire, it was mesmerising!

The performance space was a grand C18th ballroom and only about 250 in the audience so it was very intimate. I wondered if I could do something simpler, more rustic at home in Wiltshire?

A flying visit from Nicholas Heath in November 2004 to establish if it would work in a tent on our muddy blue clay fields the following July? Yes all clear, we choose the Don again. I spring into action: book tent, ask marvellous friend / set designer Roger Hall for a programme drawing, lay out ticket applications, get posting blindly to anyone and everyone, lay out programme, wait for ticket applications to come in… post tickets!

Our first Opera here at Distillery Farm was early July 2005, I did all the administration myself, two girlfriends came to help me do the flowers on the day (this is a part I love). It rained! Everyone picnicked in the tent with great camaraderie. Some came to dinner with me. We had about 230 guests over the 2 nights (not enough to make ends meet! We need 150 each night to cover costs). We sat in the round, the performance was electric, so intimate it was like lap dancing but opera. The period costumes swished, the voices soared and the audience left elated.

We had a rave review from Prof. Roger Scruton in The Country Life. We decided to have another go…

Opera A La Carte is the brainchild of Nicholas Heath, formerly a tenor at Covent Garden, now Artistic Director extraordinaire- Most of the singers perform regularly at The RHO and The ENO. Originating in 1993 Opera A La Carte has established itself as one of the UK’s most innovative chamber opera companies.

Always entirely faithful to the spirit of Opera and of each work, the musical and artistic directors distil the score working closely with the singers and other instrumentalists. The staging, sets and costumes are planned by Nicholas, resulting in infallibly original productions.

At the end of June 2006 we presented the Magic Flute, another Mozart, but I could not see Nick’s interpretation of La Boheme, in 1960’s Paris, working in a Wiltshire field! Flute’s interpretation was no less extreme… A colonial hospital in Raj India with the NHS replacing the Masonic Hierarchy! Nick said it was going to be even more of a comedy? I thought it would be better to have it sung in English so even my beginner and novice operagoers could understand. Nick did a brilliant translation. It was hilarious. Everyone adored it, including my 14 year old daughter, who was prop and costume factotum under the direction of the talented Catherine Hoare.

 We had heckling from the seats and the performers commented that it must have been like performing in Mozart’s day.

 It was a beautiful evening; the picnickers arrived early for drinks and to set up their picnics only to be serenaded by Papageno and his flute as he tended my garden. The picnic interval lingered on in the balmy evening.

The audience again are more than enthusiastic for us to persevere, we had 60 letters of congratulations and encouragement.

We had 220 over the 2 nights (even less to make ends meet); how do I tap into opera loving audience???? This is serious quality opera, on the doorstep, very good value for money, how do I reach the lovers and buffs?? I will try once more and get a committee to help me spread the word, it would be so perfect if we could do it annually without any cost to me, even better if we make some money to give to charity.

So this year we are going for broke on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th June, a little earlier hoping to interest people before the “silly season”! We have chosen Carmen, the tragic tale of risqué morality includes a rich score full of sensuous gypsy inspired melodies and dancing. Do come, whatever happens it will be a memorable evening.

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