The C group enjoyed an evening at the opera as guests of Gail Getty and Nicola Creed, Executive Director of Garsington Opera.
Set in the grounds of the glorious Wormsley Estate, pupils were among a select few watching a dress rehearsal of Benjamin Britten’s Death in Venice, part of this summer’s Garsington Opera season. All enjoyed the performance and were transfixed by the production which included wonderful dancing as well as world-class singing. As it was a dress rehearsal, the sound, lighting and production desks were in the auditorium with us, so it was interesting for the pupils to see how much technology is needed in modern productions.
The lead role of Gustav von Aschenbach was performed by one of Europe’s leading lyric tenors Paul Nilon and the part of Tadzio (who was given special cheers by our group) by New York-based dancer Celestin Boutin. Pictured with the pupils are Dawn Larter-Evans and Ann Sweeney.