Opera for All is an annual event that aims to bring opera to the whole community at an affordable price, when the Trust presents a subsidised opera at Newbury Racecourse, allowing local people to experience top quality professional opera.

The nationally recognised touring opera company Opera Box brings the best and most loved operas to audiences at an open air performance at the height of summer, when the crowds can enjoy a picnic with their music.

2008

On Saturday June 28th 2008 Greenham Common Trust, in partnership with the Newbury Weekly News and Newbury Racecourse, presented the much loved ‘Madam Butterfly’ by Puccini, a tale of passion, obsession and betrayal.

The weather was perfect, the evening was a great success and the performance drew many favourable comments from the audience:

“It was lovely to sit amongst people who had never been to an opera before and see how much they enjoyed it. The whole atmosphere of performing opera outside in an informal setting was delightful and a new experience for us....eat your heart out Covent Garden!”

To accompany this year's Opera for All a Butterfly Drawing Competition was held, in partnership with The Living Rainforest. Drawings or paintings that illustrated butterflies and/or butterfly conservation were invited from children across the local area.

This charming entry by 5-year-old Sophie, with the caption 'Don't let us fly away forever', was the winner of the 5 and Under group.

Sophie and the other winners won a £20 book token, a free family visit to the Living Rainforest and tickets to see 'Madam Butterfly' at Newbury Racecourse.

The Trust would like to say thank you to everyone who took part in the competition.

2007

In 2007 Greenham Common Trust once again presented a subsidised professional opera performance by the nationally recognised touring opera company, Opera Box, supported by the Newbury Weekly News and Newbury Racecourse.

Perhaps the most well loved opera of all, Puccini's ‘La Bohème’, is the tragic love story of Rudolfo and the consumptive Mimi, set in bohemian Paris in the 1830's.

‘La Bohème’ was performed at Newbury Racecourse on Saturday 30th June. Gates opened at 5.30pm, and visitors were invited to bring a picnic or sample the refreshments on sale. The weather unfortunately proved problematic on the night, but staunch opera lovers were not to be put off and sheltered as best they could to listen to Puccini's haunting music.

2006

The 2006 Opera for All event, ‘Die Fledermaus’ by Johann Strauss, performed in English by professional company Opera Box, took place on the evening of Saturday July 1st, with an audience of over 800 people, including many families. As part of the opera Hungarian dance troupe 'Padkaporos', from the town of Kiskunfelegyhaza, performed some traditional Hungarian folk dances.

Brendan Wheatley of Opera Box said: “Die Fledermaus provides a hilarious vehicle for some of the most captivating music ever written. This is the king of the waltz's most celebrated and popular operetta – intoxicatingly melodious and exuberant. The story involves mistaken identities, flirtations, elegant frivolities and confusion! It is certain to enchant and delight the audience.”

Gates opened at 5.30pm and the performance started at 7.30pm. The audience could bring their own picnic rugs/seating and refreshments. Refreshments and bar facilities were also be available on site.

2005

In 2005 Greenham Common Trust presented a subsidised professional performance of Verdi's ‘La Traviata’ at Newbury Racecourse.

The event was supported by Newbury Weekly News and Newbury Racecourse, as part of its centenary celebrations. It entailed a complete, costumed performance of ‘La Traviata’ by the nationally recognised touring opera company, Opera Box. The performance was staged in front of the Berkshire stand at Newbury Racecourse, to an audience of some 1500 local people.