Norfolk Into Opera: a fun, affordable first taste of opera

A new opera festival opens in Norfolk on Thursday, the Norfolk Into Opera Festival runs from 8 to 11 August 2019 in the idyllic countryside setting of The Octagon Barn near Norwich. The inaugural season of what is intended to become an annual event, the festival aims to have a broad appeal and provide audiences with a fun, affordable first taste of opera.

This year's events include a new production of Donizetti's The Elixir of Love, which is being set in rural Norfolk during World War One, with John Andrews conducting a cast including tenor Thomas Elwin and soprano Fleur de Bray, directed by Genevieve Raghu, and using David Parry's new English translation. There is a Hog Roast before the performance on 8 August, and for those on 10 and 11 August the audience is invited to bring a picnic.

There will also be a gala concert, Opera Unwrapped with tenor Christopher Turner and American soprano Sofia Troncoso.

Full details from the Into Opera website.