The company took to filming short operas on location during lockdown, when live performances were suspended, and so hit on a hugely entertaining new way to present these great pieces. Previous films included the hilarious L'Heure Espagnole, filmed in a Kensington Church Street clock shop, and Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, filmed in a grand west London house.
Gianni Schicchi is the third of Puccini's three contrasting short operas in Il Trittico. Now the second of those, Suor Angelica, has been filmed, and it promises to raise laughter as well as end in tears… Set in a convent and updated, it features soprano Ailish Tynan as the novice who has secretly borne a son, being raised by others.
When the haughty Princess visits sister Angelica, she brings news that will cast a shadow over the carefree daily life of the nuns and their simple pleasures.
Sarah Fulgoni as the icy Princess in Suor Angelica
Grange Park Opera was created 25 years ago, since when it has staged more than 75 productions, with more than 450 performances. Live performances are staged in the purpose-built Theatre in the Woods at the medieval West Horsley Place, inherited home of the late Bamber Gascoigne, just outside London.
In 2024 the season runs from Thursday 6 June to Sunday 14 July, opening with Gianni Schicchi in a double bill with Rachmaninov's dramatic Aleko, both starring baritone Bryn Terfel (seven performances, Saturday 8 June to Saturday 6 July). Then comes Donizetti's frisky and anarchic Daughter of the Regiment, with Maltese tenor Nico Darmanin tackling the string of hair-raising top Cs as Tonio (six performances Saturday 8 June to Wednesday 10 July).
Five performances only of Janáček's searing Kátya Kabanová follow, with soprano Natalya Romaniw in the title role (Sunday 16 June to Friday 12 July), and two of Anthony Bolton's new opera based on Shakespeare's The Tempest, entitled Island of Dreams.
Suor Angelica is sung in Italian with English surtitles. Click here for booking. Click here for Grange Park Opera season 2024
| What | Grange Park Opera, Suor Angelica red carpet screening |
| Nearest tube | Sloane Square (underground) |
| When |
On 07 Nov 23, Two screenings, at 5:30PM and 6:45PM |
| Price | £30 |
| Website | Click here for details and booking |