Tosca & The Barber of Seville at The Bishop's Palace Wells on 14th & 15th July, gates open 6pm performance starts 7.30 pm.

Opera comes to Somerset this July with glorious works by Puccini and Rossini. In partnership with Project Factory CIC, Opera Brava, Britain’s leading outdoor touring opera company, is bringing Tosca and The Barber of Seville to the beautiful grounds of The Bishops Palace in Wells. 

Wonderful music and stylish performances are promised in relaxed surroundings, with both operas sung in English. If you have never been to an opera before, this is your chance! Bring the family and friends, spread a rug on the ground or set out your chairs, have a picnic ready for the interval, and enjoy fabulous entertainment for a fraction of the cost of city offerings. 

Producer Bronek Pomorski says: “We can’t wait to bring this amazing music to Wells, and to be able to perform in the gardens of the Bishop’s Palace is very exciting for us. These operas are among the most adored by audiences worldwide and our cast are professional and experienced national and international opera singers who have worked with major companies including English National Opera and Covent Garden.” 

Tosca will be performed on 14th July, followed by The Barber of Seville on 15th July. Tosca is full of thrills and emotion, a tale of passion and jealousy as its heroine Tosca, a fiery opera singer, fights to save her lover Cavaradossi from the villain of the piece, the police chief Scarpia. Opera Brava sets its production in 1940s war-torn Rome. Against the backdrop of a world in conflict, Puccini’s magnificent score underlines the torment and tragedy of the drama. 

The Barber of Seville, by Rossini, is a masterpiece of comic opera. Frivolous and flighty, the story tells of the mischievous escapades of Figaro, the barber himself, as he assists his friend Count Almaviva to prise the beautiful Rosina from the clutches of her lecherous guardian, Dr Bartolo. Jokes and misunderstandings abound, with wonderful hummable melodies, before, of course, love conquers all! 

Ahead of its visit, Opera Brava hopes to host opera discovery workshops for local primary schools. Pupils can experience the thrill of hearing opera up close, many probably for the first time. They will also participate in making a short opera of their own, singing, trying out costumes and getting into character. They can then compare themselves with the professionals! 

Book opera tickets online here. 

Tickets cost:

£35 adult, £10 children under 16,  £65 both events, £15 children both events.

Artisan picnics can also be ordered online through the box office.