Open air opera at Hergest Croft

1:57pm Thursday 10th July 2008

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THE Garden Opera Company returns to Herefordshire to perform Donizetti’s Don Pasquale in the magical setting of the gardens of Hergest Croft, Kington, on Saturday.

“Garden Opera’s productions always sparkle with wit and wonderful music,” says Erica Manley, events secretary for Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust, which is staging the performance.

“It will be a deliciously funny performance and I know it will appeal to all, whether seasoned opera-goers or absolute newcomers.

“It is such an entertaining, intimate and approachable style opera and if you just want to enjoy a wonderful summer’s evening with friends and good music I could think of nothing better.”

Don Pasquale is a comic masterpiece, in which Ernesto is in love with Norina and has refused to marry a ‘more suitable’ woman chosen for him by his uncle, Don Pasquale. The uncle also decides to marry and Norina disguises herself and goes through a false marriage ceremony … then the fun starts.

The performance, which is sponsored by South Hereford Audi, will be sung in English and accompanied by a small chamber orchestra. The gardens at Hergest Croft will be open from pm and the performance will start at 7pm with a 45-minute picnic interval.

Tickets priced £27.50 can be purchased from the Cathedral Shop, The Outback, Hereford or the Perpetual Trust office (01432 374261). Picnics, which need to be pre-booked, can be arranged through the Trust office and are priced £12.