Music for London - Opera Interludes - Singers for Corporate Events, Festivals, Parties and all occasions in London

Music for London - Stunning Opera Performances for Weddings, Parties and Corporate Events in London and the UK. Singers and Musicians in London for Solo, Duos and Ensembles of London.

The Opera Evening at Elton Hall was really wonderful. You compiled an excellent programme and everyone performed with such joy that the audience was quite captivated.
- Dame Norma Major

Opera Interludes
Flower Duet Pearlfisher's Duet Im Feuerstrom der Reben Pa-Pa-Pageno Toreador's Song Bimba dagli occhi pieni di malia	Over the last decade Opera Interludes has achieved a considerable reputation for presenting opera performances in country houses, livery halls, embassies, hotels and gardens under the Artistic Directorship of Philip Blake-Jones. A special event, whether corporate entertainment, charity, birthday, wedding or anniversary will be made even more memorable by Opera Interludes, with live performances designed to link perfectly with a dinner or reception. The tradition of the Opera Soirée for weddings, parties, charity fundraising events, product launches and corporate entertainment. Throughout the centuries musical performances have been presented in palaces, country houses and gardens long before the formal concert hall or theatre became part of musical culture. In the 18th century much of the music of great composers such as Handel and Mozart was written for performances in the homes of their patrons but it was in the late 19th century that the 'soirée' as we know it today developed. Hosts would entertain their guests before or after dinner with a musical presentation of the highest standard. Now, when many of the world's greatest houses are increasingly available for corporate entertainment and charity events, it is only natural that music should have become a part of such occasions. Bringing together established artists from The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, English National Opera, Glyndebourne and other major British opera companies with exceptional young singers, the company has been engaged for corporate, charity and private events and has performed in a wide variety of venues including St James's Palace, Kensington Palace, The House of Commons, 10 Downing Street, Chequers, Tattersalls Sales Ring, The Victoria and Albert Museum and on board the QE2. These engagements have included performances in the presence of the Royal Family on many occasions. Overseas Opera Interludes has appeared at the Barbados Festival, The British Embassy in Paris, in Moscow during the state visit of Her Majesty the Queen, Villa Carlotta on Lake Como, and for the President of Malta at the Palace in Valletta. The company has been featured on Classic FM, Channel 4 TV and in numerous national publications including The Times, The Telegraph, Tatler, Harpers and Queen, Country Life and Hello! Our approach gives the flexibility of devising unique programmes, and as each Client's requirements vary, we cost each engagement individually. We are happy to work within a given budget, and special consideration will be given to charities in a fund-raising event. Performances are usually accompanied by piano, although we can also provide an instrumental ensemble or full scale orchestra for corporate entertainment, if appropriate.

Full Operas, Highlight Performances and Opera Galas for Weddings, Birthdays, Parties and Corporate Events Opera Interludes has done much to revive the tradition of presenting a programme of opera and music to be linked with a dinner or reception. A Gala or Soirée programme can include well known arias and ensembles from opera and operetta and songs from popular musicals, if required. We also offer a programme of full length operas or highlights. Opera Gala or Opera Soirée Evening The programme of opera, operetta and musicals can be presented before, after, or in sections during the courses of dinner, is usually presented with spoken introductions, and with a 'light touch' when appropriate. The evening can include special requests and audience involvement, and we take pleasure in working with our clients to devise the perfect programme for each event. The artists appear in period costume or modern evening dress. Our Opera Galas have provided the entertainment for Corporate Events, Charity Fundraising Events, Birthday Parties, Weddings, Wedding Anniversaries, and Product Launches. Opera Gala for a Corporate Event Claridge's (The Ball Room) - Farewell party for senior company member - approximately 200 guests. Opera Interludes supplied a programme, lasting approximately 45 minutes, of popular opera and musicals in three sections between the dinner courses. The entertainment began with a 'surprise waiters start' - the tenor and baritone posed as hotel staff and burst into song at the appropriate moment to the amazement of the guests. The evening then continued with the other two sections between the dinner courses, ending with the musicals and a grand finale of 'Tonight' from 'West Side Story'. The cast was four singers (soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone) and a pianist. Client comment: 'A thousand thanks for the superb performance you gave last week. Our principle guest was completely bowled over by the high standard of your singers, and the response from the other guests has been rapturous, as the standing ovation must have indicated on the night. The intimacy of the performance and interaction with the audience was particularly successful in the setting' Opera Gala far a Birthday Party Private House in Wiltshire, approximately 50 guests. Taking into account the audience, which ranged from 7 years to over 90, we prepared a varied programme of 45 minutes performed at the end of dinner. There were various arias and ensembles which involved the audience creating fun and amusing moments, in addition to the more serious repertoire: Figaro, the 'Barber of Seville', attempted to cut and arrange the guests' hair as he sang his celebrated aria, 'Carmen' serenaded the gentlemen in the audience and gave them flowers, as she does in the opera, and in Gilbert and Sullivan's 'I am the very model of a modern Major General' the guests had the words printed in their programme/menus and joined in the well-known refrain. The evening ended with an operatic 'Happy Birthday' Client comment: 'I simply cannot find the right words to describe how I felt about the contribution Opera Interludes made towards our party on Saturday! The singers were out of this world and the pianist brilliant. I have been showered with thank you letters all praising the wonderful opera. I cannot thank you enough for making the evening so special and one that we will never forget.' Opera Gala for a Wedding Service and Breakfast Cliveden - Music for Wedding Service and Opera Gala for Wedding Breakfast - 50 guests Wedding Service The company provided two soloists (soprano and mezzo-soprano) to perform 'The Flower Duet' as the bride and her father entered and two items during the signing of the register (including 'Ave Maria' and 'Summertime'). The music was accompanied by harp. The harpist then played background music during the drinks reception. After the 'surprise waiters' beginning, as above, the programme was divided into three sections, and the repertoire reflected the choice as previously discussed with the client and included pieces with a particular relevance to the bride and groom. The programme included 'O mio babbino caro' (which was dedicated to the fathers) and 'You are my heart's delight' (for the mothers). Client comment: 'I cannot possibly translate into words the sheer delight that the opera performance generated at our wedding at Cliveden. Our guests rose to their feet on numerous occasions throughout the performance amongst a proliferation of 'barvos' and cries for 'more'. (the Bride) 'What a wonderful day and what a magnificent contribution to its success from your singers and musicians! From the opening notes of 'The Flower Duet', which induced a veritable flood of tears in the Lady Astor suite, to the closing chorus of 'Tonight' at the end of a fantastic Wedding Breakfast in the French Dining Room, your delightful artists ensured a truly memorable occasion'. (Bride's parents) Highlight Performance In the Highlight series we present the key scenes from a particular opera, linked with narration, giving abridged versions of Verdi's 'La Traviata', Bizet's 'Carmen', Mozart's 'The Magic Flute' or Puccini's 'Madama Butterfly'. The performances are dramatised and presented in full costume. This series is unique to Opera Interludes, and offers the client the opportunity to invite their guests to a specific opera but as the performances last approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, the opera can be comfortably linked with a dinner. Also, because of the smaller cast involved the cost is considerably less than a full opera production. The Highlight Performance can be followed by a short selection of well known 'encores' from the popular operas and musicals, if appropriate. Highlight Performance for a Charity Fundraising Event Elton Hall - in aid of Mencap for approximately 200 guests Opera Interludes presented a highlight performance of Verdi's 'La Traviata' sung in the original Italian, with piano accompaniment and in costume following a champagne reception and prior to dinner. Client comment: 'The Opera Evening at Elton Hall was really wonderful. The audience was quite captivated, and felt the thrill of seeing the action at such close quarters. A truly dramatic as well as a musical experience. How wonderful that after the event, which was so enjoyable, we were able to make the large donation raised for such a worthy cause.' Full Opera Production Our full-length productions include Puccini's 'La Bohème' or 'Madama Butterfly', Verdi's 'La Traviata', Mozart's 'Cosi fan Tutte' or 'The Magic Flute', and Rossini's 'The Barber of Seville'. Usually two of these productions are available each year and it may be possible to add to the repertoire by arrangement. Full Opera Production for a Birthday Party Burgh Gudenau, Germany - 200 guests Opera Interludes travelled to Germany and presented a performance of Mozart's 'Cosi fan Tutte' in Italian, with piano accompaniment and in costume after a drinks reception and before dinner. The performance lasted approximately two hours with an interval break. Client comment: 'It is now over two weeks after you were with us but I must admit that we are still dreaming about this wonderful evening. We often go and sit in the drawing room and try to recreate in our minds every minute of this most romantic and exciting event. All our guests praised the excellent design, the beautiful costumes and wonderful singing. But above all stands the general comment that what we experienced was way above anything most had so far experienced in the 'normal' opera houses.

Opera Interludes

Flower Duet

Pearlfisher's Duet

Im Feuerstrom der Reben

Pa-Pa-Pageno

Toreador's Song

Bimba dagli occhi pieni di malia

Over the last decade Opera Interludes has achieved a considerable reputation for presenting opera performances in country houses, livery halls, embassies, hotels and gardens under the Artistic Directorship of Philip Blake-Jones. A special event, whether corporate entertainment, charity, birthday, wedding or anniversary will be made even more memorable by Opera Interludes, with live performances designed to link perfectly with a dinner or reception.

The tradition of the Opera Soirée for weddings, parties, charity fundraising events, product launches and corporate entertainment. Throughout the centuries musical performances have been presented in palaces, country houses and gardens long before the formal concert hall or theatre became part of musical culture.

In the 18th century much of the music of great composers such as Handel and Mozart was written for performances in the homes of their patrons but it was in the late 19th century that the 'soirée' as we know it today developed.

Hosts would entertain their guests before or after dinner with a musical presentation of the highest standard. Now, when many of the world's greatest houses are increasingly available for corporate entertainment and charity events, it is only natural that music should have become a part of such occasions.

Bringing together established artists from The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, English National Opera, Glyndebourne and other major British opera companies with exceptional young singers, the company has been engaged for corporate, charity and private events and has performed in a wide variety of venues including St James's Palace, Kensington Palace, The House of Commons, 10 Downing Street, Chequers, Tattersalls Sales Ring, The Victoria and Albert Museum and on board the QE2. These engagements have included performances in the presence of the Royal Family on many occasions.

Overseas Opera Interludes has appeared at the Barbados Festival, The British Embassy in Paris, in Moscow during the state visit of Her Majesty the Queen, Villa Carlotta on Lake Como, and for the President of Malta at the Palace in Valletta. The company has been featured on Classic FM, Channel 4 TV and in numerous national publications including The Times, The Telegraph, Tatler, Harpers and Queen, Country Life and Hello!

Our approach gives the flexibility of devising unique programmes, and as each Client's requirements vary, we cost each engagement individually. We are happy to work within a given budget, and special consideration will be given to charities in a fund-raising event. Performances are usually accompanied by piano, although we can also provide an instrumental ensemble or full scale orchestra for corporate entertainment, if appropriate.

Full Operas, Highlight Performances and Opera Galas for Weddings, Birthdays, Parties and Corporate Events

Opera Interludes has done much to revive the tradition of presenting a programme of opera and music to be linked with a dinner or reception. A Gala or Soirée programme can include well known arias and ensembles from opera and operetta and songs from popular musicals, if required. We also offer a programme of full length operas or highlights.

Opera Gala or Opera Soirée Evening
The programme of opera, operetta and musicals can be presented before, after, or in sections during the courses of dinner, is usually presented with spoken introductions, and with a 'light touch' when appropriate. The evening can include special requests and audience involvement, and we take pleasure in working with our clients to devise the perfect programme for each event. The artists appear in period costume or modern evening dress.

Our Opera Galas have provided the entertainment for Corporate Events, Charity Fundraising Events, Birthday Parties, Weddings, Wedding Anniversaries, and Product Launches.

Opera Gala for a Corporate Event
Claridge's (The Ball Room) - Farewell party for senior company member - approximately 200 guests.

Opera Interludes supplied a programme, lasting approximately 45 minutes, of popular opera and musicals in three sections between the dinner courses. The entertainment began with a 'surprise waiters start' - the tenor and baritone posed as hotel staff and burst into song at the appropriate moment to the amazement of the guests. The evening then continued with the other two sections between the dinner courses, ending with the musicals and a grand finale of 'Tonight' from 'West Side Story'. The cast was four singers (soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone) and a pianist.

Client comment: 'A thousand thanks for the superb performance you gave last week. Our principle guest was completely bowled over by the high standard of your singers, and the response from the other guests has been rapturous, as the standing ovation must have indicated on the night. The intimacy of the performance and interaction with the audience was particularly successful in the setting'

Opera Gala far a Birthday Party
Private House in Wiltshire, approximately 50 guests.

Taking into account the audience, which ranged from 7 years to over 90, we prepared a varied programme of 45 minutes performed at the end of dinner. There were various arias and ensembles which involved the audience creating fun and amusing moments, in addition to the more serious repertoire: Figaro, the 'Barber of Seville', attempted to cut and arrange the guests' hair as he sang his celebrated aria, 'Carmen' serenaded the gentlemen in the audience and gave them flowers, as she does in the opera, and in Gilbert and Sullivan's 'I am the very model of a modern Major General' the guests had the words printed in their programme/menus and joined in the well-known refrain. The evening ended with an operatic 'Happy Birthday'

Client comment: 'I simply cannot find the right words to describe how I felt about the contribution Opera Interludes made towards our party on Saturday! The singers were out of this world and the pianist brilliant. I have been showered with thank you letters all praising the wonderful opera. I cannot thank you enough for making the evening so special and one that we will never forget.'

Opera Gala for a Wedding Service and Breakfast
Cliveden - Music for Wedding Service and Opera Gala for Wedding Breakfast - 50 guests

Wedding Service
The company provided two soloists (soprano and mezzo-soprano) to perform 'The Flower Duet' as the bride and her father entered and two items during the signing of the register (including 'Ave Maria' and 'Summertime'). The music was accompanied by harp. The harpist then played background music during the drinks reception.
After the 'surprise waiters' beginning, as above, the programme was divided into three sections, and the repertoire reflected the choice as previously discussed with the client and included pieces with a particular relevance to the bride and groom. The programme included 'O mio babbino caro' (which was dedicated to the fathers) and 'You are my heart's delight' (for the mothers).

Client comment: 'I cannot possibly translate into words the sheer delight that the opera performance generated at our wedding at Cliveden. Our guests rose to their feet on numerous occasions throughout the performance amongst a proliferation of 'barvos' and cries for 'more'. (the Bride)

'What a wonderful day and what a magnificent contribution to its success from your singers and musicians! From the opening notes of 'The Flower Duet', which induced a veritable flood of tears in the Lady Astor suite, to the closing chorus of 'Tonight' at the end of a fantastic Wedding Breakfast in the French Dining Room, your delightful artists ensured a truly memorable occasion'. (Bride's parents)

Highlight Performance
In the Highlight series we present the key scenes from a particular opera, linked with narration, giving abridged versions of Verdi's 'La Traviata', Bizet's 'Carmen', Mozart's 'The Magic Flute' or Puccini's 'Madama Butterfly'. The performances are dramatised and presented in full costume.

This series is unique to Opera Interludes, and offers the client the opportunity to invite their guests to a specific opera but as the performances last approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, the opera can be comfortably linked with a dinner. Also, because of the smaller cast involved the cost is considerably less than a full opera production.

The Highlight Performance can be followed by a short selection of well known 'encores' from the popular operas and musicals, if appropriate.

Highlight Performance for a Charity Fundraising Event
Elton Hall - in aid of Mencap for approximately 200 guests

Opera Interludes presented a highlight performance of Verdi's 'La Traviata' sung in the original Italian, with piano accompaniment and in costume following a champagne reception and prior to dinner.

Client comment: 'The Opera Evening at Elton Hall was really wonderful. The audience was quite captivated, and felt the thrill of seeing the action at such close quarters. A truly dramatic as well as a musical experience. How wonderful that after the event, which was so enjoyable, we were able to make the large donation raised for such a worthy cause.'

Full Opera Production
Our full-length productions include Puccini's 'La Bohème' or 'Madama Butterfly', Verdi's 'La Traviata', Mozart's 'Cosi fan Tutte' or 'The Magic Flute', and Rossini's 'The Barber of Seville'. Usually two of these productions are available each year and it may be possible to add to the repertoire by arrangement.

Full Opera Production for a Birthday Party
Burgh Gudenau, Germany - 200 guests

Opera Interludes travelled to Germany and presented a performance of Mozart's 'Cosi fan Tutte' in Italian, with piano accompaniment and in costume after a drinks reception and before dinner. The performance lasted approximately two hours with an interval break.

Client comment: 'It is now over two weeks after you were with us but I must admit that we are still dreaming about this wonderful evening. We often go and sit in the drawing room and try to recreate in our minds every minute of this most romantic and exciting event. All our guests praised the excellent design, the beautiful costumes and wonderful singing. But above all stands the general comment that what we experienced was way above anything most had so far experienced in the 'normal' opera houses.