Wild Arts (★★★★ The Guardian, ★★★★★ Opera Now) presents an evening of operatic and musical hits, in the stunning 17th-century surrounds of Clayesmore in Dorset.

ROH standard, choices excellent, the quality terrific and the staging exactly right.
Libby Purvis, The Times on our Opera Evening

Semi-staged by director James Hurley and woven into a new narrative full of dramatic intrigue, jealousy, comedy, idealism, and true love – follow our characters as they travel through 75 minutes of music. From arias and scenes by Handel, Mozart, Rossini, and Britten, to the songs of Richard Rodgers and Stephen Sondheim.

Performed by four fabulous singers and a world-class string quintet. A sparkling and mischievous summer treat.

Spectacular doesn’t even begin to do it justice! Wow.
★★★★★ Review of our Opera Evening 2024

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You are welcome to arrive from 6pm to set up your picnic on the lawn or collect your hamper and open the bubbly. Bring whatever you need to make yourselves comfortable – be it picnic rugs, tables, chairs, candelabras...
There will be a smattering of deck chairs available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The performance will start at 7pm with a half hour interval. The show will be finished by 9pm.

Refreshments will be available form the Shepherds hut bar throughout the evening.

Nearer the time, we will send an email with directions and information on where to park. In the mean time you are very welcome to get in touch with any questions.

The musicians were all superb. With perfect balance and tone they really brought the works alive. Clean and precise, every detail of the composers intentions was revealed anew; like having an intimate snapshot of their original sketches fleshed out.

We look forward to welcoming you to a beautiful evening of opera. Please book early as tickets will be strictly limited.

Max, Becca, and the Wild Arts team

What a triumph! The audience were truly enraptured from start to finish.
Lindy O’Hare, Thorington Theatre

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Timings
Gardens open - 5pm
Performance begins - 6.30pm
(1-hour picnic interval)
Performance ends - 9pm
Carriages - 9.30pm

Prices
Early bird prices - £35
A Ticket to the Opera - £40
Under 18s - £15

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Luxury Picnic Baskets

We will be preparing luxury picnic baskets to order, featuring a delicious feast for four to enjoy across the evening. Order your picnic and savour a relaxing evening of opera performances brought to you by Wild Arts.

Our picnics come in a beautiful wicker hamper, and for the ultimate picnic experience, why not add a Clayesmore foldable picnic blanket for the easiest setup ever? Alternatively, if you have your own picnic basket, you can simply order a refill. Just click on ‘Order My Hamper’ and select your picnic package.

Collect your basket upon arrival on 15th July, and enjoy it on the South Lawn.

LAST HAMPER ORDERS: 8th July - Order now.

Each oval-lidded wicker basket includes a wonderful selection of summery treats:

• A bottle of Prosecco with 4 reusable flutes
• A bottle of water
• A homemade selection of sandwiches with 4 different fillings (choose from mixed meats/cheeses/fish or a delicious vegetarian assortment)
• Freshly baked sausage rolls and cheese twists
• Scones, jam and cream (x4)
• Punnet of strawberries
• Tyrrells crisps
• Napkins and wooden cutlery

Order your hamper.

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Featuring music from:

Bernstein Candide; West Side Story
Britten Billy Budd
Donizetti Don Pasquale; L'Elisir d'Amore
Handel Semele
Tchaikovsky Eugene Onegin
Mozart Le Nozze di Figaro
Porter Kiss me Kate
Puccini La Bohème
Verdi Falstaff
Rodgers and Hammerstein Carousel
Rossini Il barbiere di Siviglia
Verdi Rigoletto

An unalloyed delight to hear such musical perfection in one short show. And the string quintet presentation was so brilliant I now want to hear all my favourite operas performed that way.

The performance is part of our summer programme which includes Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin and Donizetti's The Elixir of Love.