All Categories - DUCHY OPERA

Duchy Opera presents The Merry Widow

25/3/2026

A sparkling blend of romance, wit, and Parisian glamour, Duchy Opera’s new production of The Merry Widow brings Lehár’s beloved operetta to life with elegance and irresistible charm. Set in a world of glittering ballrooms and diplomatic intrigue, the story follows the wealthy young widow Hanna Glawari and the frantic efforts of the Pontevedrian embassy to hang onto her fortune—and save the country from bankruptcy.

Expect sweeping Viennese melodies, sumptuous costumes, and a joyful evening of comedy, dance and song, delivered with Duchy Opera’s trademark warmth and theatrical flair. A perfect night out for seasoned opera lovers and newcomers alike.

Sponsored by Landlaw
Opera
Trust
This amateur production is presented
by arrangement with Music Theatre International.
All authorised performance materials
are also supplied by MTI

Opera in Full Voice

11/10/2025

We are excited to announce our next live performance will be
a collection of songs from our previous opera productions.
Have you got your ticket yet? If not, please see poster below
for ticket details.

Audition dates for "The Merry Widow" 2026 performance

12/9/2025

Duchy Opera will be holding auditions for solo roles in the Merry Widow by Franz Lehar
on October 11th & 12th.

Patrick Bailey: Music Director. Richard Jackson: Director.

More details can be found on the HOME page of this website: Home

Meanwhile, if you wish to register your interest or have any questions, please email us on [email protected]

Performance dates:
Princess Pavilion, Falmouth. June 5th & 6th 2026
Park House, St Clements, Truro. July 7th, 8th, 10th & 11th 2026

OPEN REHEARSAL 21/09/25

26/8/2025

***WHY NOT COME AND JOIN US FOR AN OPEN OPERA REHEARSAL***

We are planning to hold an 'Open Rehearsal' on Sunday 21st September from 6-8pm in Tresillian Village Hall.
Everyone is welcome to join us.
Our Director of Music Patrick Bailey and Choir Master Clive Ellison will be taking the rehearsal.

We offer this opportunity for people to come and meet us all at Duchy Opera
and we hope you enjoy the experience and come back for more!
You can turn up on the night, or alternatively contact us through the link below
and let us know if you will be attending the "Open Rehearsal".
*******
***WHY NOT ASK US TO us keep you up-to-date with our productions***

by signing up to our email contact list.
By so doing you agree that Duchy Opera may hold your personal details
for reason of advising you of events as they are arranged during the year.

Your lovely comments

26/8/2025

.......thank you for these lovely comments from our audience:

I am writing to say how much I enjoyed last night's production of La Traviata at Princess Pavilion. BRAVO!!! It was wonderful, and far exceeded my expectations. The music, the singing, the costumes, all was of exellent quality, and showed such a high degree of professionalism and commitment. I am proud that here in Cornwall we have such an amazing company of players. Long may you continue to delight audiences. Many many thanks for last night's production. Warmest wishes to you all, singers, musicians, stage managers, publicists, dogsbodies, and all.
DC Penryn

Have just had an amazing evening at Park House watching La Traviata. The performances of the whole company were polished and very professional. The singing and dramatic interpretation was perfect, with exceptional performances from the leads. The live orchestra was a treat and setting perfect. Well done to everyone who made this such a special evening. SF

I watched La Traviata (6th June) and thought the Company's performance was full of energy and excellent singing, with a simple, but most effective set and a splendid orchestra. Well done to one and all!
JH Barnstaple

Truly outstanding
Last night I watched a performance of La Traviata at Princess Pavilion and was so impressed with the performance.
From the soft ethereal notes of the opening prelude, the orchestra was superb throughout.
The parts of Violetta and Giorgio Germont are notoriously difficult and demanding, and Rebecca and Jesse blew my mind away with their outstanding emotional interpretation and delivery. They were backed up by great performances from all the principal roles and by the chorus who were animated, well rehearsed and sang beautifully.
The production is set traditionally in its own period and the set complimented this simply but very effectively.
If you have not yet booked to see this production I strongly urge you to consider doing so.
SC Perranwell Station

Wonderful times at the opera

14/7/2025

from this:

There was joy, there was hope, there was sadness and tears. How wonderful seeing so many people enjoying such a powerful opera. And now it's all over for another year.

to this:

Time running out soon - get tickets for LA TRAVIATA

15/6/2025

Time running out soon - get JULY tickets for LA TRAVIATA - see below for more details

https://www.parkhouseopera.com/booknow

News of June 17th FODO event open to guests too!

24/5/2025

Suzanne Manuell, Soprano and Anthony Seddon, Piano
at Boconnoc on Tuesday 17th June 2025 at 2.00.

Suzanne Manuell was born and lives in Cornwall.
Her operatic roles have included the title role in Aida and Anna in Nabucco for Dorset Festival Opera. For English National Opera she has covered the roles of Lucrezia Borgia and Tosca. Other roles include Madame Butterfly, Amelia Un ballo in maschera, Maria Stuarda, Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, Rosina in Il Barbiere di Sivigla, Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana, Nedda in I Pagliacci, Giulietta in Les contes d'Hoffmann & Papagena in Die Zauberflote.

Suzanne sings regularly in concert, and her repertoire includes Strauss 4 Last Songs, Mahler Symphony no 8, Mahler Wir geniessen die Himmlischen Freuden, Mahler Lieder Eines Fahrenden Gesellen, Rossini Messe Solennelle, Charpentier Messe de Minuit, Handel Messiah, Mozart Requiem, Mozart C minor Mass, Mozart Mass in C, Mendelssohn Elijah & Faure Requiem.

Suzanne is an experienced recitalist and has sung at the Royal Albert Hall, the Crush Room at The Royal Opera House and at the Queen’s Gate Terrace Recital series in Kensington. She has sung with many orchestras, the Royal Philharmonic, the Northern Sinfonia, the English Mozart Ensemble, English Philharmonic, The Chamber ensemble of London, Sussex Symphony Orchestra and The Cornish Sinfonia.

Suzanne has just made her international TV debut typecast as an opera singer in the new series of Bergerac!

This is your invitation!
Friends of Duchy Opera (FODO)
Recital and special Tea and Bubbles
Featuring
Suzanne Manuell Soprano
Anthony Seddon Piano
at
Boconnoc House Lostwithiel PL22 0RG
on Tuesday 17th June 2025 at 2.00 pm
Bubbles on arrival followed by the Recital then a special afternoon tea
Raffle
£25 FODO members, £30 guests
book by phone or email with Sally
then payment to FODO, Nat West Bank, Newquay
sort code: 54-10-38, A/c: 95954538
ref. Suzanne
or cheque to Steve, Hon Treasurer
Any queries please phone Sally. Contact details below
Hon. Treasurer: Steve Walters, 4 Bosvean Gardens, Truro TR1 3NQ
Hon. Secretary: Sally Collett, Longfield, Perranwell Station, Truro TR3 7LZ
phone: 01872 859345 email: [email protected]

Get your tickets now

23/2/2025

Come and Sing

4/1/2025

Our 2024 'Come and Sing' event turned out to be a fun afternoon learning some opera choruses along with some simple, easy movement. This free event was led by RUSSELL PASCOE with Clive Ellison at the keyboard, and was an introduction to some of the music from our 2025 production of La Traviata. Thanks to those who gave voluntary contributions for this enjoyable afternoon, we were able to raise £120 for the Truro Foodbank.