About Lakeland Opera

 The Vision . . .

'Lakeland Opera' bravely brings high quality, full scale, Opera to Cumbria. The strategy of mixing professional performers with the best of local talent is successful, so the concept will be retained for future productions. We visualise future exciting and colourful productions on an annual basis. For that vision to succeed many complex elements must be drawn together. You can probably contribute to this. Be part of this vision.

The Background . . .Lakeland Opera was founded in 1997 to stage regular performances of full scale Opera in Cumbria.

The Mission . . .¨ To make Opera accessible in Cumbria, destroying its elitist image and offering it at competitive prices, sung in the English language, in the belief that 'Opera is for everyone'.

¨ To combine the impact of professional principals with talented local musicians and artists, creating an exciting and colourful spectacle for audiences throughout Cumbria.

¨ To extend the development of tourism in Lakeland by adding a major 'Cultural Occasion' to the region's many other attractions.

¨ To perform an annual season of Opera in Cumbria to command an established place in the cultural calendar.

The Beginning . . .In 1997, Lakeland Opera's first production of 'Otello' was a resounding success, playing to large audiences at two venues. It brought the entire opera-house experience to the region, attracting such critical acclaim as:

¨ 'More like 'The Moor' please.'

¨ 'Lakeland Opera's 'Otello' was a staggering achievement.'

¨ 'It was an absolute triumph.'

¨ 'Dare we hope for something of similar quality in the not too distant future.'

What happened next . . .1999 heralded 'Turandot', Lakeland Opera's second production. This time, however, we offered five performances at four venues, which included two performances at the new 'Theatre by the Lake' in Keswick and one at Kendal. Puccini's powerful work is perhaps best known for its aria 'Nessun Dorma', but the opera was packed throughout with compelling music, drama and passion. It proved to be a fitting sequel to the hugely successful 'Otello'.

The company continued to build on early successes with critically acclaimed productions of 'Eugene Onegin' (2001) and 'La Traviata' (2003) during the early years of the new millennium.

Late 2005 saw Bizet's 'Carmen' performed live across Cumbria.

In 2007 we staged the popular 'double bill' Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci - for the first time with a full professional orchestra, the SBS Camerata.

2009 brought the company's first operetta production. Franz Lehar's ever popular 'The Merry Widow' toured to three venues, including a new one in Hexham