New to opera?
A beginner’s guide
Born in Italy, opera has captivated theatre-goers since the 16th century. It’s an exquisite art form that covers every vicissitude of joy, pain and humour. Beware: the high spirits and heady passions of opera can be contagious.
Which opera is best for first-timers?
Madama Butterfly, which features in our 2025 season, is an excellent choice for first-timers. This opera transports you to the dawn of 20th-century Japan. A young woman falls in love with an American lieutenant and becomes entangled in tragedy. The famous aria Un bel dì, vedremo (‘One fine day, we’ll see’) brims with longing.
Hungry for more? See our tick list:
How do I find Grange Park Opera?
It’s easy and it’s just on the edge of London.
Sat Nav KT24 6AN (make sure you are directed to the Epsom Road and not to the BACK of the 350 acre estate). Horsley station is a mile away with frequent trains from Waterloo, Vauxhall and Clapham Junction.
You can walk through the estate (20 minutes through wonderful romantic fields and woods) or it’s easy to get a taxi from the station (Magnum Cars +441483 28 11 11).
What should I wear?
Most of our guests wear black tie and long dresses but we encourage stylish creativity. Don’t be afraid to stand out from the crowd.
Will I understand the words?
Our operas are sung in their original languages, with surtitles in English projected above the stage.
Madama Butterfly will be sung in Italian, Mazeppa in Russian, Simon Boccanegra in Italian and Taj Mahal in English.
Is there an interval?
There is a 100-minute interval during the opera for dining and picnics. Guests can dine in the exceptional Duchess Restaurant or reserve a picnic table in one of our marquees or pavilions. Order a picnic through At Home Catering or bring your own picnic and choose a spot in the idyllic gardens.
Are new operas still being written?
Yes – in fact, you can see the world premiere of Taj Mahal at Grange Park Opera in 2025. Composer Nishat Khan leads this opera via the sitar, guiding you through civil wars, political intrigues and a dazzling elephant battle.
Previous world premieres at Grange Park Opera include The Life & Death of Alexander Litvenenko and Island of Dreams.