As evening falls, Handmade Opera’s fabulous singers and orchestra bring two stunning comic operas to the floodlit stage while the Orwell Estuary at twilight provides an atmospheric backdrop. It is the chance to indulge in the perfect mix of alfresco eating and open-air music plus joining in with a family favourites singalong

Introducing the wonderful Handmade Opera performers…

  • Lucy Elston

    Lucy Elston is an award-winning soprano based in Warwick and London. Her recent prize-winning performance in the Music Hall's 'Music 4all' competition in the Opera Category, is a clear indication she is a talent to watch. Her ability to communicate and engage with the audience is superb and she wins hearts and plaudits with every performance

  • Luke Horner

    Irish Tenor, Luke Horner is a rising star in the competitive world of singing tenor. He has just returned from a touring production of Will Todd’s ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ where he played the role of Victorian III. He is a favourite with audiences in East Anglia, thanks to his time as a scholar at Chelmsford Cathedral. He has performed across the region as an accomplished Oratorio singer performing in the ‘Magnificat’, ‘Johannes Passion’, Handel’s ‘Messiah’, Haydn’s ‘Nelson Mass’, Rossini’s ‘Petite Messe Solemnelle’, and Stainer’s ‘Crucifixion’. Luke is delighted to be joining Hand Made Opera as Gontran and Box at this double-bill production.

  • Kevin West

    Kevin West gained a Fellowship and teaching qualifications at the London College of Music and began singing professionally with the D’Oyly Carte before studying as a postgraduate at the Guildhall under Walther Grüner. His successful career as both singer and actor includes performances at the Royal Opera House, the English National Opera and Opera North. His flair for comic opera means the Orwell Park audience is in for a treat.

  • Colin Baldy - Producer

    Colin Baldy is well-known as a teacher of singing and leader of music across Essex, East Anglia and internationally. He has taught the famous Choir of New College, Oxford. He also teaches in London and Italy, where he was recently invited to found a new children's choir. Colin Baldy has contributed articles to the Guardian newspaper, Church Music Quarterly and to the Tufton Press. He has led the Maldon Festival for over 15 years, creating a popular and successful fortnight of music and exhibitions. He is recognised for identifying and nurturing new talent and bringing audiences the best young singers at the start of stellar careers.

  • Edwin Dizer

    Edwin studied at the Royal College of Music's junior department for six years. He bring outstanding energy and enthusiasm to his roles which have included the curmudgeonly Bartolo (Le Nozze di Figaro) and the psychopathic Mikado (The Mikado. He is the ideal singer to engage audiences with the pathos behind comic operas while also demonstrating the full vocal pyrotechnics that are the bread and butter of such genres.

The Orwell Park Twilight Proms presents a unique opportunity to enjoy two operettas representing the best of French and English light comic opera. 

Une Education Manquée is composed by Emmanuel Chabrier and follows the story of an innocent young couple seeking advice regarding their upcoming nuptials.  Perhaps unwisely they seek support from two equally unworldly advisors who themselves have to seek out the relevant answers to much comic effect. As part of the much-loved duo Gilbert and Sullivan, Arthur Sullivan needs no introduction. The operetta ‘Cox and Box’ is an example of his work undertaken with F C Burnard and is full of the whimsical charm and convoluted action that is typical of its time. The music is lyrical, full of memorable tunes and the action comes thick and fast following the tangle created when an unscrupulous landlady sells the same lodgings twice over. She believes this is acceptable because one of the gentlemen works nights and the other during the day!

The Orwell Young Singers Community Choir

The event is being staged as a fund-raising initiative to raise money to support the Orwell Young Singers Community Choir. The choir brings together young singers from local schools and across the region, providing an opportunity to rehearse and perform a wide range of choral music. The aim is to build on the 2022 Proms performance to create regular after-school sessions for the choir going forward. This will develop into a three-term programme during which students can find out about singing, build their musical skills and take part in performances. The founding schools involved in the choir are Nacton Primary and Eyke Primary and the project is an initiative from Orwell Park Prep School.

We are delighted to throw open our gates for the first Orwell Park Twilight Proms. It is very exciting to be able to support the debut performance of the Orwell Young Singers Community choir and we hope it is the first of many more to come

- Adrian Brown, Headmaster

FAQs

  • Comfort is key! Makesure you bring along a picnic, rugs and chairs.

  • Fund raising stands will be at the event with finger food and fizz, all raising money for the Orwell Young Singers Community Choir.

  • Orwell Park school has plenty of free parking for all ticket holders.

  • Tickets can be booked online via Eventbrite, click on any ‘Buy Ticket Now’ button on this page & this will take you there. Limited tickets may be available on the gate, however pre-booking is strongly advised to avoid disappointment.

  • Please note that this is a live event at Orwell Park School only, meaning it will not be available in a virtual format.

*The Orwell Park Twilight Proms is run as a fund-raising initiative by Orwell Park School.  In case of cancellation, the organiser would aim to reschedule the event.  In this event, the audience is asked to consider the option to waive refunds in favour of re-booked tickets for the next available performance, or to make a donation to the fund raising effort for a similar amount to the price of the ticket. Please see the box office policy below.