CASE HISTORIES FOR AN OPERA GALA OR OPERA SOIRÉE PROGRAMME

CORPORATE EVENT
Claridge's, London (The Ball Room) - Farewell dinner party for a senior company member - approximately 200 guests.

Opera Interludes supplied a programme lasting approximately 45 minutes, of popular opera and musicals in three sections between the dinner courses. The entertainment began with a 'surprise start' - the tenor and baritone posed as hotel waiters who burst into song at the appropriate moment to the amazement and delight of the guests. The evening then continued with the other two sections of music between the courses, ending with a lighter selection of musicals and a grand finale of 'Tonight' from 'West Side Story'. The cast was four opera singers (soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor and baritone) accompanied by a pianist.

Client comment:
'A thousand thanks for the superb performance you gave last week. Our principle guest was completely bowled over by the high standard of your opera singers, and the response from the other guests has been rapturous, as the standing ovation must have indicated on the night. The intimacy of the performance and interaction with the audience was particularly successful in the setting'.

 

OPERA GALA FOR A BIRTHDAY PARTY
Private House in Wiltshire, approximately 75 guests.

Taking into account the audience, which ranged from 7 years to over 90, we prepared a varied programme of 45 minutes performed at the end of lunch. There were various arias and ensembles which involved the audience creating fun and amusing moments in addition to the more serious repertoire. Figaro, 'The Barber of Seville' attempted to arrange the guests' hair during his aria, 'Carmen' serenaded the gentlemen, and the guests had the words to join in the chorus of Gilbert and Sullivan's 'Modern Major General'. The performance ended with an operatic 'Happy Birthday'.

Client comment:
I simply cannot find the right words to describe how I felt about the contribution Opera Interludes made toward our party on Saturday! The singers were out of this world, they looked and sounded wonderful, and the pianist was brilliant too. I have been showered with thank you letters all praising the wonderful opera. I cannot thank you enough for making the day so special and one that we, young and old, will never forget.

 

OPERA GALA FOR A WEDDING SERVICE AND BREAKFAST
Cliveden - Opera singers for a Wedding Service followed by an Opera Gala for the Wedding Breakfast - 50 guests

Wedding Service
The company provided two soloists (soprano and mezzo-soprano) to perform 'The Flower Duet' as the bride and her father entered and two items during the singing of the register ('Ave Maria' and 'Summertime') accompanied by harp.

The harpist then played light background music during the drinks reception.

Opera Gala
After the 'surprise waiters' beginning, as outlined in previous notes, we then presented a three part performance between the dinner courses which included 'O mio babbino caro' ('O my beloved father' for the fathers) and 'You are my heart's delight' (for the mothers).

Client comment:
'I cannot possibly translate into words the sheer delight that the opera performance generated at our wedding at Cliveden. Our guests rose to their feet on numerous occasions throughout the performance amongst a proliferation of 'bravo' and cries for 'more'. - The Bride

'What a wonderful day and what a magnificent contribution to its success from your singers and musicians! From the opening notes of 'The Flower Duet', which induced a veritable flood of tears in the Lady Astor Suite, to the closing chorus of 'Tonight' at the end of a fantastic Wedding Breakfast your delightful artists ensured a truly memorable occasion. - The Bride's Parents

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