PAST PERFORMANCES
Kings, Witches, Lovers, and Souls
A New Opera from Jen Hartley, August 2024
© Asadour Guzelian and Christopher Tribble
REVIEWS
Trouble in Tahiti and A Hand of Bridge (2021)
Jane Bagot in Seen and Heard International
Cumbria Opera Group pulled two more performances out of the hat with sparkling performances of Leonard Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti (1951) and Samuel Barber’s A Hand of Bridge (1958). Both jazz operas were strongly supported by the orchestra, led by their inspiring artistic director, Joe Davies. Director Jonny Danciger created a special production.
Così fan tutte (2021)
Colin Marston in The Classical Source
The inaugural Cumbria Opera Festival came to an exhilarating conclusion with a superb performance of Mozart’s Così fan tutte in Penrith’s St Andrew’s Church. Ross Cumming (Guglielmo). Jack Dolan (Ferrando), Myrna Tennant (Fiordiligi) and Samantha Lewis (Dorabella) were excellent in their role as the four young lovers. Holly Teague added many comic touches to the role of Despina and Jonathan Hill was equally good as the manipulative Don Alfonso.
Acis and Galatea (2018)
Colin Marston in the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
Acis and Galatea [...] maintained the high standards set already and was greatly enjoyed by a large and enthusiastic audience. As producer and musical director, Joe Davies and director Peter Law deserve congratulations for bringing such a fine work to the Eden Valley and inspiring such an uplifting performance.
Venus and Adonis (2017)
Jane Bagot in the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
A delighted audience at Penrith Methodist Church was treated to a stunning performance of John Blow’s opera, Venus and Adonis. The Cumbria Opera Group, directed by their inspiring, up and coming conductor Joe Davies, gave a spirited interpretation of this one act opera. This promising young conductor expertly led his fine musicians through the many twists and turns of this tragic but entertaining Baroque drama — he held them firmly in his grasp from start to finish.