About Us
At the time of writing, New Cornwall Opera Ltd (NCO) is into its tenth year. Whilst no longer a 'new' company - indeed, now a solid and mature one - the new and youthful spirit which existed in its first few years persists. The company is regularly praised by audiences for the passion, energy and excitement all members puts into their performance.
Today New Cornwall Opera is run by Business Director/Producer, David Gibson and an enthusiastic and capable management team.
The company was formed in 2003 to address gaps in the performing arts activities in Cornwall; to stage, alongside the popular works expected by audiences, some lesser known productions, aiming to provide access to opera for the whole community. Rural locations have been chosen as well as towns, allowing opera to integrate closely with everyday life beyond the large opera houses and theatres.
During its first year NCO toured two one-act Puccini operas - Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi. These brought together some of the best names in Cornish opera for the major principal roles but also opened the way for several other gifted singers to experience their first solo involvement in opera. That ethos remains central to the company.
Later in the same year, the company staged a sell-out concert of Italian opera at Truro's award winning Lemon Street Market and proceeded to an equally well attended winter tour of Amahl and the Night Visitors.
The reputation quickly established led to a chance to perform at the renowned open air Minack Theatre on the cliffs at Porthcurno in July 2007. The company performed Bizet's glorious opera Carmen, sold out before it opened.
With a further sell out production of La Traviata at the Minack for 2009 the company moved from strength to strength and in 2011 made its first footsteps onto the stage at Cornwalls main indoor venue, the Hall for Cornwall.
Summer 2011 saw the company's most ambitious project yet in the form of a production of Puccini's Madame Butterfly performed at the Minack Theatre in July and then restaged for the more conventional setting of the Hall for Cornwall in September.
This year, 2012, NCO's plans include Cavalliera Rusticana for the Minack in May, reset for the Hall for Cornwall in September and with sights on the Minack again in July 15-19, 2013 with La Boheme.
The company is working on a selection of smaller touring projects including Mozart's Impresario. Confirmed venues for bookings in its new regular concert series will be posted up in the next week or so (as at 01/3/12).
This year the company formally launches the New Cornwall Opera Orchestra.
Today New Cornwall Opera is run by Business Director/Producer, David Gibson and an enthusiastic and capable management team.
The company was formed in 2003 to address gaps in the performing arts activities in Cornwall; to stage, alongside the popular works expected by audiences, some lesser known productions, aiming to provide access to opera for the whole community. Rural locations have been chosen as well as towns, allowing opera to integrate closely with everyday life beyond the large opera houses and theatres.
During its first year NCO toured two one-act Puccini operas - Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi. These brought together some of the best names in Cornish opera for the major principal roles but also opened the way for several other gifted singers to experience their first solo involvement in opera. That ethos remains central to the company.
Later in the same year, the company staged a sell-out concert of Italian opera at Truro's award winning Lemon Street Market and proceeded to an equally well attended winter tour of Amahl and the Night Visitors.
The reputation quickly established led to a chance to perform at the renowned open air Minack Theatre on the cliffs at Porthcurno in July 2007. The company performed Bizet's glorious opera Carmen, sold out before it opened.
With a further sell out production of La Traviata at the Minack for 2009 the company moved from strength to strength and in 2011 made its first footsteps onto the stage at Cornwalls main indoor venue, the Hall for Cornwall.
Summer 2011 saw the company's most ambitious project yet in the form of a production of Puccini's Madame Butterfly performed at the Minack Theatre in July and then restaged for the more conventional setting of the Hall for Cornwall in September.
This year, 2012, NCO's plans include Cavalliera Rusticana for the Minack in May, reset for the Hall for Cornwall in September and with sights on the Minack again in July 15-19, 2013 with La Boheme.
The company is working on a selection of smaller touring projects including Mozart's Impresario. Confirmed venues for bookings in its new regular concert series will be posted up in the next week or so (as at 01/3/12).
This year the company formally launches the New Cornwall Opera Orchestra.
