Bampton Classical Opera

Bampton Classical Opera is an opera company based in Bampton, Oxfordshire specialising in the production of lesser known works from the Classical period.

In 2002, Bampton Classical Opera performed the United Kingdom premiere of "The Philosopher's Stone" ("Der Stein der Weisen"), a singspiel by Emanuel Schikaneder composed in collaboration with Mozart, Henneberg, Schack, and Gerl. In 2004, it gave the first UK staged performance of Salieri's "Falstaff", and in July 2007 staged the UK premiere of Georg Benda's "Romeo and Juliet".

The company currently stages two to three operas each year, performed on the grounds of the Bampton Deanery and Westonbirt House as well as on tour to other UK festivals. They also give concert performances of operas at St John's, Smith Square in London. The company has an outreach programme, Bampton Schools' Opera, which gives workshops on the operas they have staged and provides secondary school students with the opportunity to participate in opera rehearsals.

Bampton Classical Opera was founded in 1993 by its current artistic directors, Gilly French and Jeremy Gray. It works with a variey of conductors and ensembles and does not have a permanent music director. Its patrons include Dame Felicity Lott, Sir Charles Mackerras, Sir Roger Norrington and David Pountney.

The company's offices are located at:Holcot House, Market Square, Bampton, Oxfordshire OX18 2JJ, United Kingdom.

References

* [http://www.bamptonopera.org/repertory/benda.htm Bampton Classical Opera official web site]
*Church, Michael, Review of Benda's "Romeo and Juliet" at Bampton Classical Opera, [http://arts.independent.co.uk/music/reviews/article2980490.ece "The Independent"] September 20, 2007 (accessed 24 September 2007)
*Porter, Andrew, Review of Martín y Soler's "La scuola dei maritati" at Bampton Classical Opera, [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/incomingFeeds/article617035.ece "The Times"] , August 18, 2006 (accessed 22 June 2007)
*Thicknesse, Robert, Review of Paisiello's "The Barber of Seville" at Bampton Classical Opera, [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/article546151.ece "The Times"] , July 21, 2005 (accessed 22 June 2007)