Mozart’s comic opera ‘Cosi Fan Tutte’ tells the tale of two soldiers, Ferrando and Guglielmo, who are convinced that their fiancées are faithful to them. Philosopher Don Alfonso wagers a bet with the two men that he can prove, in a day, that they are fickle. The men take the bet and pretend to have been called off to war, only to return the following day, in ridiculous disguise, in an attempt to woo the other soldier’s love. Mozart explores the sincerity and hypocrisy of human relationships with great and delightful music. This was Mozart’s third and final collaboration with the great opera librettist Lorenzo da Ponte (the other two being The Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni).

Heritage Opera was founded in 2006 in Leyland, Lancashire and proceeded to establish itself as Northwest England’s best touring opera company. From small beginnings in Lancashire, they have grown to become an artistic force that cover virtually the whole of the UK. They regularly play at top stately homes, large theatres and festivals for both corporate and private entertainment. One of the reasons for Heritage Opera’s continued success lies in its uncompromising musical standards. Only professional singers are used, and, whenever possible, performers with a link to Heritage’s native North are given preference.

http://www.heritageopera.co.uk/

Doors open 5.30pm for picnics. The performance will begin at 7.30pm and conclude around 10pm.

We have some extra information about the opera at Bayham on the FAQ part of our website, and I will repeat that here for convenience.

• The gates open at 5.30pm and the opera begins at 7.30pm
• The opera consists of two halves, each of around 55 minutes. There will be an interval of 30 minutes and the opera should finish around 10pm
• There is an area directly in front of the stage where we place between 100 and 150 chairs, and this area is kept picnic free
• The audience can arrive from 5.30pm and are invited to bring folding chairs, tables (if required) and picnics. These can be set up anywhere outside the main seating area
• The audience can move into the main seating area once their picnics are finished, using their own chairs (space permitting) or the LMF chairs provided. Alternatively, you are more than welcome to stay outside the main seating area, enjoy the opera and continue your picnic during the interval
• The concert will be amplified so everybody should be able to easily hear the opera
• The LMF would appreciate the audience taking their own litter home with them
• We have use of a field next to Bayham for car parking and this is no more than a 100 metre walk to the Abbey. Car parking marshals and stewards will be in attendance on the day
• There will be a ticket desk at the entrance. Tickets may be available on the day
• If it does rain, then umbrellas are allowed. Under these circumstances, please be aware of other guests
• If it rains too heavily for the singers and the musicians to perform, then the event will be cancelled. We would hope to be able to do this prior to the event and would notify everybody via email if that were to be the case. In this instance a full refund of the ticket price will be made
• It will get chilly by 10pm, so please bring a blanket or warm clothing even if it looks very sunny and bright at 5pm
• English Heritage will provide tea and coffee from the main office in the Dower House. They will also be selling wine and English Heritage souvenirs (including blankets!)