Opera Group
The Opera Group explores the full operatic repertoire by watching a full opera each month on DVD; we have seen over 170 operas of which some 30 are repeats, albeit never the same production, ranging from Monteverdi’s ‘L’Orfeo’ to Phillip Glass’s ‘Satyagraha’ by way of Handel, Mozart, Verdi and Puccini as well as many other composers old and new.
Programme details, including a synopsis, are provided along with Notes on the opera, its composer and reviews etc.
To accommodate numbers wishing to attend the Opera Group, there are three showings. At the First Showing, starting at 5:30 and finishing at approximately 9:30pm, there is a break in the middle for a finger buffet supper and glass of wine (or two). A contribution of £5 is requested to help cover costs. The other showings are in the afternoon.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, we have not had a meeting since March 2020 and it is inevitably difficult to predict when we can resume meetings and our exploration of the operatic repertoire. Assuming we can start again in September 2020, the programme for the Faringdon U3A Opera Group for 2020-2021 season is below. However, this will be adjusted on what seems sensible with regard to safety from the virus.
The first showing is on the second Monday of the month and dates for the second and third showings will be arranged to suit members of the groups.
| Date | Opera | Production |
| 2020 | ||
| 14 September | Prokofiev : War and Peace | Kirov Opera, Mariinsky Theatre |
| 12 October | (R) Puccini : Madame Butterfly | Opera Australia |
| 9 November | (R) Mozart : La Clemenza di Tito | Paris Opera |
| 14 December | Gilbert & Sullivan : Ruddigore | Studio Film |
| 2021 | ||
| 11 January | (R) Johannes Strauss : Die Fledermaus | Glyndbourne Opera |
| 8 February | Tchaikovsky: Iolanta | Bolshoi Opera |
| 8 March | Verdi : I due Foscari | La Scala, Milan |
| 12 April | Berlioz : Benvenuto Cellini | English National Opera |
| 10 May | (R)* Purcell : The Fairy Queen | Glyndebourne Opera |
| 14 June | (R) Donizetti : Lucia di Lammermoor | Royal Opera House |
| 12 July | Wagner: Tristan & Isolde | Metroplitan Opera, New York |
| August | NO MEETING |
All are very welcome. If you wish to attend, please contact either Anthony or Bobbie or Linda as appropriate.
For more information contact the Group Leader
Anthony Burdall, 2 Fernham Road, Faringdon, Oxon SN7 7JY
Tel: 01367 240713 Mob: 07841352938 Email: anthony.burdall@burdall.net
