About Us

Duchy Opera people:

Chairman
Paul Collins

Musical Director
Paul Drayton

Artistic Director - David Sulkin
Life Members - Benjamin Luxon CBE, Annabella Waite MBE
Patrons - Alan Opie, Mollie Petrie, Richard Jackson, Ingrid Surgenor, Wendy Eathorne
President - Lady Mary Holborow DCVO JP

What We Do

Since its debut performance in 1978, Duchy Opera have built up a reputation as one of the finest regional semi-professional opera companies in the UK.

We are committed to staging exciting, inventive operatic performances for the people of Cornwall, as well as regular concerts in a wide range of venues from village halls to country houses, right across the region.

Duchy Opera’s policy is to always use Cornish-based talent wherever possible, from performers and musicians to back-stage creatives and technicians. We actively seek out and give opportunities to young and emerging talents in Cornwall, and provide an outlet for the creative expression of people of all ages.

We seek to create a varied and diverse programme of productions, from traditional grand opera to alternative modern treatments, all to the same exacting standard which the company is known for.

As well as entertaining the people of Cornwall, Duchy Opera are fully-engaged in the educational sector, with outreach workshop primary school programmes like the School Run, and master classes with internationally-renowned singers and teachers. We are keen to develop further in this area by developing workshop formats for the 16+ age group.

Rehearsals

Chorus rehearsals take place every Sunday between 7pm - 9pm, at Tresillian Village Hall, just outside Truro on the road to St Austell. New singers are always welcome, and may be subject to an informnal audition with our Musical Director at a later date.

The Men of Good Fortune

Duchy Opera also have a male singing group, under the Musical Direction of Naomi Carne. They rehearse regularly from 5.30pm - 6.30pm at Tresillian Village Hall, and perform at concerts involving the chorus and elsewhere. The group is open to all male members of the chorus.