​"A company which refuses to rest on its laurels, is eager to experiment and keen to attract a new audience to the world of opera." Lee Trewhela - The West Briton
DUCHY OPERA
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Friends of Duchy Opera
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​​Like many regional arts groups today, Duchy Opera receives no official funding to help offset the cost of productions, and relies on fund-raising efforts together with very generous support from the Friends of Duchy Opera, or FODO members.

Their contribution to our work has ensured that we are able to continue in what is an increasingly costly and challenging field of activity. 


Friends receive the following benefits:
  • Exclusive invitations to Country House Concerts in stunning locations across Cornwall 
  • Priority booking or reserved seats at major Duchy Opera productions
  • Free programme
  • Regular Newsletters and Music Diary
 
Join  NOW !
Annual subscription -  £15  per person
Joint subscription  -  £25.00

FODO also runs a popular 200 club which members are invited to join.



    Join FODO

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Past Events

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Music at Bosvathick Saturday 28th Sept 2019
​Bosvathick House, Constantine

Mr and Mrs Stephen Tyrrell have very kindly offered the Friends of Duchy Opera the use of their reception rooms and garden at Bosvathick House, Constantine, on Saturday 28th September. Our audience may wander in the extensive and unusual garden from 3.30pm before canapés and bubbles at 5.00pm.
Two long-standing members of Duchy Opera Company,
Kay Deeming and Sue Lancaster, will delight us forty-five minutes later with a varied programme of solos and duets.

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A Newquay Gig Friday 21st June 2019
at Newquay Rowing Club

A musical evening with a nautical flavour in a unique venue
John Hobbs (baritone) and Arthur Swan (tenor) Paul Drayton (piano)
Wine and nibbles at 6.00pm Recital at 6.45pm

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​Love is in the Air Thursday 14th Feb 2019
at Falmouth Art Gallery


A special Valentine’s Day recital of familiar arias, songs and duets with the lovely voice of Elinor Chapman, the heroine in Duchy’s colourful production of The Elixir of Love in 2014 and at Prideaux Place last Spring and the rich baritone of Ian Kinver. The versatility and exuberance of  Anthony Seddon will be in evidence on the piano! There will be an opportunity to view the Gallery, with a glass of wine, at 6.15pm until the concert at 6.45pm.  

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50 minute Magic Flute Friday 22nd Sep 2017
St Michael's Church, Newquay

​Truro School's Music Director
Martin Palmer will bring a 22-piece orchestra and soloists drawn from present sixth form pupils, past pupils about to go to university and choral scholars from the Cathedral – people well beyond their Grade 8s and looking to make music their careers. We are promised a concert of music, followed by an interval (with a glass of wine – or tea/coffee) and then the School’s 50-minute version of The Magic Flute! 

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Floralia Saturday 20th May 2017
Lanhydrock Church, near Bodmin

Please come and join the Friends of Duchy Opera on this delightful evening with talented young musicians from Truro School. 


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Floralia Saturday 21st May  2016
FODO Spring Concert

Lanhydrock House

Rachel Bosanko & Edward Goater with Luke Bond (piano)
Wine & canapés followed by a recital of delightful songs by Brahms, Schubert, Elgar, Britten and Pascoe.

Floralia 2015
Floralia Saturday May 16th 2015
The Citron Trio
    Elizabeth Brazier, 'cello
    David White, clarinet
    Paul Comeau, piano

Wine & canapes followed by light-hearted classics and an insight into the life and music of George Gershwin  in the beautiful church of St Hydroc at the National Trust's Lanhydrock House.

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Troubadours July 13th 2014
Staged and costumed opera extracts
by a group of Duchy soloists
joined by invited guests associated with the Company
A "posh" tea at the interval
Hosted by the Hanbury-Tenisons
at Cabilla Manor Bodmin.

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Floralia May 24th 2014
A celebration of Flowers and Spring in aria and song,
set in the beautiful surroundings and church of
St Hydroc at the National Trust's Lanhydrock House.
Evie Hidderley     (soprano)
Alice Margetts     (soprano)
Rachael Sadka     (soprano)
David Risberg      (baritone)
George Clark       (baritone)
Westenders Cello Quartet:   
        Danielle Jones
        Ben Hoadley
        Rebecca McGlade
        Elizabeth Brazier


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Presentation of new keyboard
The Duchy Opera Company's AGM on 26th May 2013 was the occasion for the exciting presentation of a new portable piano. It was a gift from FODO who never cease to amaze us with their generosity. Touring opera will now be greatly facilitated, and those who recently carted a heavy piano down AND up the Minack steps will be breathing a great sigh of relief.
Thank you to Linda Petzing for her photos.


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Floralia May 25th 2013
Concert at Lanhydrock Church

With Alice Margetts (soprano)
Rachael Sadka (soprano)
Paul-Ethan Bright (countertenor)
Robin Brown (bass)
Rebecca Brenton (clarinet)
Simon Dunbavand (piano)
Paul Drayton (piano)

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FODO Christmas Party Concerts 2012/2013
 
with tasty canapés  and wine, held at  Benallack Barn, the beautiful home of Linda and Paul Wieczorek, decorated for Christmas.

2012: Cheryl Rosevear ( BBC’s 1997 Choir Girl of the Year) and Shelley Coulter-Smith (oratorio and opera singer throughout England) were our guest singers. Pianist Anthony Seddon arranged the evening’s entertainment, joined by Sam Freegard (both MD’s of Medical Maelstrom fame) for seasonal readings. A real treat!

2013: we were entertained with Christmas music by Naomi Johnston and her husband, Jonathan Carne.
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Duchy Opera Trust Ltd is a Registered Charity No 28521 and a company limited by guarantee in England No 1639019
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