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Romantic Opera for St Valentine's Day
By Kirsty Young of Hatstand Opera
If you're an event organiser, restaurant owner or just a die-hard romantic, St Valentine's Day (14 February) always poses the same challenge: how am I going to make this even more romantic than last year? How about live opera, probably the world's most romantic music that brings a tear of joy to your evening, and the customers queuing to buy tickets at your door? (or your friends sitting stunned with delight in your front room! - yes, flexible opera companies will perform in private houses.) How To Present Live Opera
Staging live opera needn't be daunting; all you need is an opera company that understands how to sing in unusual spaces, and with enough experience to entertain your guests without backstage fuss and drama. 1. Do I need staging, lighting, sound systems?
Not unless your venue is very big! As a rule of thumb, any venue under 250 seats (even a soundproofed hotel or marquee) should not require any additional lighting, stage or PA system, if you have professional opera singers. 2. Do I need to hire an orchestra?
No, most opera companies for hire perform with piano, and the best offer a high quality digital piano as part of the deal so you don;t have to hire and tune an expensive grand piano. A digital piano can also fit into smaller spaces, even your front room! Some 'singing waiting staff' operatic acts perform only with microphones and backing tracks, which does not suit the romantic atmosphere of Valentine's Day nearly as well as live piano accompaniment. 3. How would an evening of romantic opera work with dinner?
OK, I'm going to be honest here, and draw on 20 years of experience as a professional opera to say that I NEVER sing while people eat. You can't concentrate on two great things at once, namely the chef's finest food and our beautiful performance. So, with my shows, we always sing in between courses of dinner, around the tables. That way, guests can enjoy the dinner and chat, then sit back and digest while we perform without the noisy clatter of plates, and safe in the knowledge that 20 minutes or so later, more food will arrive! Of course, the added benefit of a live painist and experienced singers is that they can carry on singing if the main course needs five minutes' more cooking time! (Yes, it has happened.) 4. Do I need to choose the music?
Any opera company worth its bunch of red roses will prepare selection of romantic opera favourites for you, which will probably include items from Puccini's 'la Boheme', Mozart's 'Cosi Fan Tutte', perhaps Verdi's 'la Traviata' plus other favourite composers such as Rossini, Johann Strauss and Lehar. 5. How much will it cost?
Ah, now there's the question! Prices do vary, so look for what's included in the price for public performances, such as:
• piano hire included
• free print (posters and flyers) overprinted with your event details
• full public and performer liability insurance (you'll be amazed how many companies don't have this)
• experienced performers who work together frequently (not who have just met 10 minutes before)
• free listings on websites that boost your event's exposure
• established company with a good reputation Above all, look for an opera company who are adaptable to your space and your event - and have a real sense of romance so your St Valentine's Day is something to remember for all the right reasons!
Mezzosoprano Kirsty Young is director of Hatstand Opera, and has sung roles for UK opera companies, entertained at corporate events, delighted open air audiences and sung opera highlights in more UK churches, theatres, arts centres, halls and hotels than she cares to remember!
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Romance at the Opera
PLEASE VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S WEBSITE
Hatstand Opera
UK touring opera company Hatstand Opera
www.hatstandopera.co.uk
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When I read the title of this intel I assumed it was about taking your date to the opera. I had no idea it's about hiring an entire opera company.  I didn't even know you can do that. I had always associated operas with the opera house, and - occasionally - with an open-air venue near the pyramids. It must be awesome to get the full power of operatic voices in a small venue like a restaurant (or whatever). Thanks for blowing my mind!
 |  | nick Jan 4, 2010 12:08 | |
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