Covid has been as bad as Baron Scarpia or any other operatic villain when it comes to the annual Domaine des Vaux Opera Festival. It forced its cancellation in 2020… fortunately in 2021, Good triumphed over Evil and the festival took place – just.
In a recent letter to friends of the Festival, the director of the festival, Anne Binney, wrote: ‘To say it was a challenge to put on the Festival this year would perhaps be an understatement. With all the changes of policy flowing from our government, it was a constant worry as to whether it would be possible or not.
‘I changed many of the flights for the Diva Opera Company three times at least, then we had to have a much bigger marquee, far more raised seating, 100s of extra chairs for sit down drinks in the interval and all those little tents, not to mention having half the marquee open (far too cold with the north wind blowing) and to wear masks or not to wear masks.
‘But the audiences were terrifically enthusiastic, nonetheless. It was worth all the uncertainty and we raised a good sum for the two charities too! Special thanks must go to our Opera Angels and those that spontaneously responded to my appeal for help with all the extra costs involved this year. Without them it would have been even more difficult to put on the Festival and help Jersey Zoo and St John Ambulance continue with all their marvellous work.
‘Diva Opera themselves were so determined to get here that they deliberately allowed ten days to isolate after their shows in France before coming over to Jersey. Their season continued with back-to- back performances in London and the UK and they were cheered by enthusiastic audiences wherever they went – the only touring opera company on the road this year. So a big thank you to Diva too for bringing us their shows despite all the odds.’
In 2022 the Festival returns to its usual time of July – 18th, 19th and 20th, with performances of Tosca, Cosi fan Tutte and Gala evening. Anne said they would We would probably stick to the larger marquee. given the uncertainty of the state of the virus by then.’
Tickets will be on sale on Eventbrite from mid January.
One Response
Hello Rural Magazine. Thank you so much for publishing this and the super photograph of Domaine des Vaux. We are looking forward to seeing our wonderful audiences back here next July, come what may, for some more stunning opera performances from Diva Opera. Its an opportunity not to be missed and much cheaper than going to London for the opera as well as supporting local charities. Diva Opera’s shows are always interestingly produced and directed, with beautiful costumes and of course great singers, some performing early on in their careers and others who have been with the company for some time. We are delighted that local girl Gabriella Cassidy will be singing with Diva Opera again next year. She gave her first performances at the London Coliseum for English National Opera earlier this year.