Opera in the Warden's Garden, Saturday 29 June 2024

In late June and early July, the New Chamber Opera will perform its annual summer event at New College.

The opera will be:

La Vera Constanza
"The True Constant"
1779, Sung in English
By Joseph Haydn

Synopsis:

Haydn’s riotous comedy, La vera Costanza, The True Constant, was one of the composer’s early works for the theatre at Eszterhaza, the summer palace of his patron, from 1762, Nikolaus I, Prince Esterhazy. The opera was first performed on 25 April 1779 and was later revived there in 1785. The version of the work we have today is a reconstruction for the 1785 revival; a fire destroyed the theatre in late 1779, and with it were lost the performing materials and scores for some of Haydn’s operas. The composer subsequently reconstructed a number of them – including the much - loved Il mondo della luna – from sketches and from memory.

Haydn’s opening storm sequence which begins in the overture, sees Baroness Irene, Ernesto, Lisetta, and Villotto rescued from a shipwreck by Rosina and Masino. Count Errico, whom she hopes to dissuade from marrying the fisherwoman Rosina. But – and not unusually for the 18th century – we discover that the Count has ALREADY married (and abandoned) Rosina, who has had child by him. Neither the Count nor the Baroness and her retinue know of the child’s existence. The Baroness is promoting Villotto as a possible husband for Rosina, an impossibility that descends into farce, when the Count suddenly appears, threatening to kill his rival with a pistol. And so the opera proceeds, with Ernesto threatening Masino with a dagger, and other probable – and improbable – incidents!

It will take place in the Warden's Garden, at 6.30pm, at New College, preceded by a pre-opera talk lasting approximately 20 minutes, for those that wish to attend. The talk starts at 5pm in the antechapel.

Tickets are £45.00 per person and include a pre-performance glass of Prosecco. Dress code is smart casual. We ask that you collect your tickets from the New College Cloisters on arrival on your chosen opera night. A member of the New College Development Office will be on hand to pass you them.

There will be a interval supper lasting approximately 75 minutes which will be held in the New College Cloisters. Please bring your own picnic. Chairs and tables will be provided and they will be marked up with your party name e.g. 'Table for J Smith x 4. It may be possible to park your car in College whilst attending the opera, but if demand is high, the New College Porters' may ask you to park at the Sports Ground, a short walk away. If you intend to come by car, please let us know by answering the relevant question on the booking form. Priority will be given to those with mobility problems. This is a charity fundraiser event for New College.

If you are not able to make either of the performances on Saturday 29th June or Friday 5 July 2024, please visit the New Chamber Opera website for alternative nights. The New Chamber Opera page has the detail on how to book in.

We look forward to welcoming you in June/July.

There is also another performance on Friday 5 July 2024 and to book tickets for this night, please do so via the event page. - places are being taken up quickly though so we would advise not to delay in booking.

 

Picture credit below: The dance of death: the shipwreck. Coloured aquatint after T. Rowlandson, 1816. Wellcome Collection. 

The dance of death: the shipwreck. Coloured aquatint after T. Rowlandson, 1816. Wellcome Collection.
29
June 2024
16:00 - 22:30
Location
New College
Eligible audience
New College Old Members and friends
Deadline