"We brought three friends to the matinee performance of Macbeth at The Minack, yesterday afternoon, and WE LOVED IT!
Right from the word “Go”, the witches were superb, with their cackling gyrations and impeccable diction, to say nothing of the precise percussion of their beating sticks (I know that took some practice!). The men did so well too, despite their relatively few numbers. I loved the solution to the disposal of the branches from Birnam Wood: heave them over the rampart: so simple, yet so practical. The potential problem that concerned me most was how convincing would it be to have Macduff on crutches killing a fit and healthy Macbeth, but, in fact, it didn’t appear to be a problem at all – we just accepted that Macduff was crippled and his stabbing of Macbeth on stage was fast and efficient, without the difficulty of a protracted duel.
All the principals were excellent, including those from the Company, again with clear diction and voices which rose easily to the very top row of the audience, where we were sitting. The orchestra was very good and there was never a moment when it drowned the singers. I thought the costumes were very effective, particularly the hooded apparitions and the parade of kings.
In short, this is a production of which Duchy Opera can feel justly proud and a great tribute to all your hard work.
Well done!" John and Margaret Hobbs - Macbeth 2019
Right from the word “Go”, the witches were superb, with their cackling gyrations and impeccable diction, to say nothing of the precise percussion of their beating sticks (I know that took some practice!). The men did so well too, despite their relatively few numbers. I loved the solution to the disposal of the branches from Birnam Wood: heave them over the rampart: so simple, yet so practical. The potential problem that concerned me most was how convincing would it be to have Macduff on crutches killing a fit and healthy Macbeth, but, in fact, it didn’t appear to be a problem at all – we just accepted that Macduff was crippled and his stabbing of Macbeth on stage was fast and efficient, without the difficulty of a protracted duel.
All the principals were excellent, including those from the Company, again with clear diction and voices which rose easily to the very top row of the audience, where we were sitting. The orchestra was very good and there was never a moment when it drowned the singers. I thought the costumes were very effective, particularly the hooded apparitions and the parade of kings.
In short, this is a production of which Duchy Opera can feel justly proud and a great tribute to all your hard work.
Well done!" John and Margaret Hobbs - Macbeth 2019
"A brilliant show." Audience feedback - Macbeth 2019
"Wednesday night's performance was magnificent and thoroughly enjoyed." Audience feedback - Macbeth 2019
“I had an absolutely wonderful experience with Duchy Opera. It was indeed one of the most amazing experiences I ever had on stage. And everything contributed to that, the production itself, the venue, the whole cast (principal and chorus), the directors, the atmosphere, the accommodation, the hosts. Communication was also great, all the time, and I'm amazed how you managed the logistics of all that." Soloist - Macbeth 2019
“A huge thank you to Duchy Opera for making me so welcome over the past four years and for giving me such amazing and valuable opportunities as a young singer which I have thoroughly enjoyed. I will miss it very much when I move to London in September. The Minack week was a fantastic end to my time with you and thanks to everyone who made it so brilliant!” Rebekah Scamp – 19-year-old local young soloist played Flora – La Traviata 2017
"La Traviata is given thoroughly traditional treatment under the sure direction of Penzance’s own Richard Jackson. Accustomed to consistent high-quality, with a fine orchestra and lively chorus of 22, this is no exception. Duchy Opera goes from strength to strength; we should be very proud of them all.” Eric Dare – Cornish Guardian 2017
“Madam, Sir. This afternoon we attended the show La Traviata to the Minack Theatre. We found this wonderful representation and wanted to tell you. Good night and best regards.” Annie and Gerard - (French travellers) 2017
“Duchy Opera's performance of Donizetti's L'Elisir d'Amore, sung in English, was one of the most successful productions the company has performed in recent years – indeed for sheer enjoyment it bore comparison with many professional productions.“ Eric Dare - West Briton 2016
Here is what some of our audience members had to say about Die Fledermaus 2015.
"Excellent singing", "Setting was fun", "Hugely enjoyable", "Initial doubts about set, but it worked", "Music Director was brilliant", "I did enjoy the show in its new setting"
"Excellent singing", "Setting was fun", "Hugely enjoyable", "Initial doubts about set, but it worked", "Music Director was brilliant", "I did enjoy the show in its new setting"
"Great news that the Duchy Opera is performing Carmen at the Parkhouse Centre in Bude on 27th October. Set in Seville, a place the Frenchman Bizet, had apparently never visited, it is the story of a soldier and a match girl. Like all operas, Carmen, one of the most popular operas around, is about passion and ultimately death. Hot-blooded, seductive, impassioned and sultry, you will enjoy arias like Habanera, and, of course, you’ll all know the famous Toreador Song. I’m often wishing for more ‘culture’ in Bude so this is a must-see opportunity! So, what is Duchy Opera offering? This is what they say:
“What do you get when you cross Cornwall’s innovative Duchy Opera with the acclaimed Cube Theatre Company? Try mixing in one of the greatest operas of all time, Carmen, and you get inventive, dramatic opera at it it’s very best! This October, Duchy Opera present a new touring production of Georges Bizet’s famous work. Directed by Cube’s Benjamin Symes, the Musical Director is Paul Drayton. The story of the wild Gypsy girl, Carmen, and her doomed romance with an infatuated soldier has some of the most dramatic and memorable music ever written, and is rightly regarded as a masterpiece”.
Duchy Opera have made a name in recent years for challenging and original opera productions, including two brand new operas by Paul Drayton in the last four years, The Hanging Oak and this year’s Mermaid of Zennor. This is their fifth consecutive year of touring productions, and their aim to bring quality opera to all parts of Cornwall has led to packed houses and rave reviews." Bude & Beyond - 2012
“What do you get when you cross Cornwall’s innovative Duchy Opera with the acclaimed Cube Theatre Company? Try mixing in one of the greatest operas of all time, Carmen, and you get inventive, dramatic opera at it it’s very best! This October, Duchy Opera present a new touring production of Georges Bizet’s famous work. Directed by Cube’s Benjamin Symes, the Musical Director is Paul Drayton. The story of the wild Gypsy girl, Carmen, and her doomed romance with an infatuated soldier has some of the most dramatic and memorable music ever written, and is rightly regarded as a masterpiece”.
Duchy Opera have made a name in recent years for challenging and original opera productions, including two brand new operas by Paul Drayton in the last four years, The Hanging Oak and this year’s Mermaid of Zennor. This is their fifth consecutive year of touring productions, and their aim to bring quality opera to all parts of Cornwall has led to packed houses and rave reviews." Bude & Beyond - 2012
"Just my chance to say how wonderful The Vampire was! Saturday was an EVENT. The train in was good even if they went without us... the stories went well, food good but the OPERA was fantastic. The music was interesting and beautifully played, the singing superb, a most enjoyable production - THANK YOU to all." Audience feedback - The Vampire 2011
"Duchy Opera lived up to its reputation as one of the country's best semi-professional opera companies by putting on one of its finest performances with The Merry Widow." Alan Cooper - Cornish Guardian 2010
