“I look forward to future productions by this company”
“If they maintain this standard, opera-lovers will be travelling long distances to see them”
La Belle Hélène 2010, The Spectator
Suffolk Opera is a dynamic and versatile company which is committed to facing the challenges posed by the staging of opera in a wide range of venues. The company is built around a talented and motivated amateur chorus, and leading roles are filled by young professionals at the beginning of their careers. Some priority is given to singers with local connections. We work with professional directors to ensure productions of outstanding quality that are accessible and exciting to audiences and cast alike.
The company was founded in 1997. Our first full scale opera was a production of Bizet’s Carmen in 2004 at the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds, an exquisite 350 seat theatre which is the oldest surviving playhouse in England. This was followed by touring productions of Verdi’s La Traviata in 2005, Puccini’s La Bohème in 2006, Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore in 2008, Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin in 2009, Offenbach’s La Belle Hélène in 2010, and Rossini’s La Cenerentola in 2012.
Between productions, Suffolk Opera also gives concerts of opera extracts to foster local talent, and can design specific programmes for corporate entertainment and private bookings. We are always happy to welcome new members and would be delighted to hear from anyone interested in joining us. Please visit our Get Involved page for further information.
