Trust to bring ‘Opera for All’ to Newbury

Greenham Common Trust has announced a major open air music event at Newbury Racecourse in June 2005, which will bring professional opera to Newbury at a vastly discounted price, making it accessible to the whole community.

The ‘Opera for All’ event, that will take place on the evening of Saturday 4th June, is being supported by Newbury Weekly News and Newbury Racecourse, as part of its centenary celebrations. It will entail a complete, costumed performance of 'La Traviata' by the nationally recognised touring opera company, Opera Box. The performance will be staged in front of the main grandstand at Newbury Racecourse.

Stuart Tagg, chief executive of Greenham Common Trust, says: “The main aim of the Opera for All event is exactly as its name suggests - to bring a major, professional opera to Newbury, at a price that is affordable for everyone.”

Tickets will be highly subsidised at the prices of £5 per adult and £2 for children, students, pensioners and jobseekers.

Jeremy Willis, chairman of the Newbury Weekly News says: “As with all community projects within our circulation area we are delighted to have the opportunity to put our name to such an initiative. I hope that there will be a great interest in this musical event.”

Brendan Wheatley of Opera Box says: “Since Opera Box was established in 1988, our pioneering approach has been to tour the UK bringing performances where little or no professional opera has previously been experienced. People attending our previous performances have been struck by both the high quality of production and the diverse nature of the audiences attending.”

“We feel greatly privileged to be asked to perform in Newbury in what will be something for the whole community” he adds.

Robin Parker of Newbury Racecourse says: “I am certain that this will be the first time in our 100-year history that a professional opera has been performed at the racecourse. It will be a great opportunity for visitors to experience a major musical event in a spectacular setting. We expect that whole families will attend, food and drink will be available, allowing everyone to enjoy an informal and relaxed evening.”

For booking information see ‘Opera for All’. For more information about Greenham Common Trust and ‘Opera for All’ contact Andrew Barber on 01635 817444 or e-mail music@greenham-common-trust.co.uk