Musical Drama takes Centre Stage at Holkham

Two glittering opera performances at one of Norfolk’s most prestigious and atmospheric venues will ensure opera fans can enjoy a wonderful evening of musical entertainment staged by a national production company without having to leave the county.

The elegant backdrop of the Marble Hall at Holkham will set the scene for Diva Opera’s performances of Mozart’s Don Giovanni on July 4 and

The Marble Hall at Holkham

Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann on July 5.  Opera goers will be able to soak up the wonderful ambience in the magnificent backdrop of this historic venue which lends itself so well to chamber opera productions with its edifying acoustics.

The black tie evenings will commence with a champagne reception and everyone is encouraged to bring their own picnics to enjoy during a one hour interval.  Weather permitting, the beautiful terraces on the west side of Holkham Hall, with outstanding views across the lake, will be the setting for dining in style.

Diva Opera has performed all over the world including Russia, Japan and Venice and in a notable star studded performance of the party scene from Die Fledermaus at The Royal Albert Hall they were joined by José Carreras and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. 

Tickets for each performance cost £80 and can be obtained by telephoning the ticket office on 01328 713111.  Further information can be found by visiting www.holkham.co.uk

Musical May Bank Holiday Weekend at Chatsworth

Music lovers are in for a treat over the bank holiday weekend (25-27 May) as Chatsworth’s house and garden are filled with the sounds of Mozart and Mahler, Beethoven and Bach, performed by the musical maestro’s of tomorrow.

Students from the University of Sheffield Department of Music will be entertaining visitors to Chatsworth, including final-year students getting in some last-minute practice with only a week to go before they have to perform live as part of the final examinations for their Bachelor of Music Degree.

Up to 30 students from across the world (including Doncaster and Sheffield) will be going through their paces at locations around the house and garden, performing 45 minute sets throughout the afternoons (12noon – 5pm) either solo or in groups. The students will play mainly Classical music but also some Jazz and tunes from popular Musicals while the students studying World Music will play some perhaps less well-known Chinese works.

“We have some top talent amongst the students so I’m sure people will enjoy what they hear,” says University of Sheffield Concerts Director Stewart Campbell. “There will be something for everyone, representing the broad and diverse programme our students study. It’s an excellent opportunity for the musicians to perform in the beautiful surroundings of Chatsworth and I hope our students’ music-making enhances visitors’ experience of the house and gardens over the bank holiday weekend.”

Chatsworth House, Garden, Farmyard and Adventure Playground (www.chatsworth.org), are open every day during the bank holiday weekend and school half-term (27-31 May) including:

• Treasure Island, 31 May: Bring the family for a merry romp to the sunny Caribbean with Cambridge Touring Theatre's swashbuckling musical adaptation. Suitable for all ages, the performance is outdoors, ideal for a picnic on the grass with the whole family.

• Three major art exhibitions: William Turnbull large-scale sculptures, drawings and paintings; Emma Tennant watercolours; Rembrandt landscape drawings.