The birth of English Comic Opera
Two remarkable Victorians in a 25 year collaboration from 1871 and English comic opera was born. Brought together by entrepreneurial theatre manager, Richard D’Oyly Carte, they produced 14 unique operas including The Mikado and Pirates of Penzance. Their satirical brilliance still impresses and their creativity inspired Jerome Kern and contemporaries. Unprecedented success, popularity and fame attracted brickbats as well as bouquets.
How to book this event:
Booking is not required. Guests/visitors are welcome for a small charge of £8 payable on the door.
THE ARTS SOCIETY ACCREDITED LECTURER
![](https://theartssociety.org/civicrm/contact/imagefile?photo=Jamie_Hayes_ba6988523eb96b6520ed12c633ded40d.jpg)
Mr Jamie Hayes
After training at RADA Jamie graduated as a Stage Manager and subsequently worked for Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Bristol Old Vic and the BBC. He became an Assistant Director with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Kent Opera and English National Opera and soon began directing productions of his own. He has directed many new opera productions in the UK whilst other new opera productions overseas include Reykjavik, Malta and Melbourne. Jamie was Associate Director on the original production of the hit musical Miss Saigon in the West End and on Broadway. He has directed productions in all the major UK conservatoires and was Director of Productions for British Youth Opera for over a decade, a company devoted to promoting the talents of our finest young opera singers in the UK. Jamie is a regular enrichment programme lecturer for various leading cruise ship companies. He is married to the mezzo-soprano Jean Rigby and they have three sons.
OTHER EVENTS
A palace of fine and decorative art
Key moments in American history expressed in painting, sculpture, land art and photography.