Rodgers & Hammerstein
In the rural, open, optimistic heartlands of early 20th century America, it's a beautiful morning, the corn as high as a elephant's eye, and two farm-girls are overwhelmed with offers to escort them to the square-dance. Through a sequence of some of the best-loved songs in Broadway history, the girls discover who they truly want. But in the process, a rejected suitor picks a fight - and almost turns a classic happy-ending into tragedy.
Charles Gounod
Shakespeare's greatest romance is given the passionate embellishment of Gounod's music. Separated by a murderous feud between their families, Roméo and Juliette are impossibly in love. Walls close in, bodies pile up, and a rescue plan goes terminally wrong – though not before the closing duet which will ensure there is not a dry eye in the house.
Giuseppe Verdi
The playboy King of Sweden loves masked balls. But, as predicted by a fortune-teller, they prove to be the death of him – he is murdered in full view of his court. The assassin that wields the knife amid the glitter and the dancing, has stumbled on the love affair the King is secretly pursuing with his wife. The only outcome is revenge.
Tuesday 26th September (6.30pm)
An opportunity for our Pioneers to see The College of Arms and learn of its role as the official heraldic authority for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and much of the Commonwealth. A tour looking at manuscripts in the College collections dating from the 16th century to the present day will explain the role of the College and the development and history of English heraldry.
2nd and 3rd October, times vary
Explore the new Postal Museum and journey on the ‘secret tube’, a six mile tunnel now known as the Mail Rail. In its heyday, the Mail Rail carried 12 million items daily through hidden tunnels. Discover this unique heritage with Grange Park Opera, where we feel an affinity with the General Post Office (through shared abbreviation). Supporters will note the many GPO items dotted around the opera house.
Tuesday 3rd October, 7.30pm
SOLD OUT
Gershwin's ballet-cum-musical started on Broadway. The sets are sensational, the performances are sensational. Wasfi saw it and then dragged along Bamber and Christina. Everyone should see it.
Tuesday 24th October, 6pm - 8pm
Join us for an evening of conversation and drinks along with marvellous singing at the Charterhouse, London. Learn about the exciting 2018 programme and how work on the opera house and ‘Lavatorium Rotundum’ is progressing. Discover this historic venue which has served as a monastery, private mansion, boys school and an almshouse at times since its foundation in 1348.
Thursday 2nd November
Ascend 60 feet and uncover the secret of Britain’s largest painted ceiling, painted between 1707 and 1726. Discover this baroque masterpiece up close…while Alexander Creswell is hard at work on our very own painted ceiling which we hope to unveil at the Theatre in the Woods next summer.
Thursday 23rd November
Designed by Norman Foster and opened in 2004, this modernist masterpiece is located in the Surrey countryside and is home to one of Britain’s most exciting and iconic technology company’s. Also resident is the McLaren Honda F1 team and an incredible array of motorsport memorabilia. Join us for a special evening with drinks and music.
Tuesday 20th February 2018
A dinner to celebrate our collective achievements at West Horsley Place. Join us for a champagne reception and dinner at Drapers Hall in London – once the site of Austin Friars and the mansion of Thomas Cromwell (who is believed to have visited West Horsley Place with Henry VIII).
Why do the operas need your support? It is as simple as this: Grange Park Opera receives no public subsidy and ticket sales only cover two thirds of costs. Memberships bridge the gap. Where would we be without art in our lives?
Join as an annual member