THIRTY YEARS OF BAMPTON CLASSICAL OPERA

by the acclaimed lutenist Michael Fields. Some of our previous singers were still involved, but the main roles went to outstanding professionals Evelyn Tubb as Dido, John Hancorn as Aeneas, and Jane Haughton as Belinda. Gilly was ‘second witch’, styled as if suffering a ‘bad-hair day’, and very scary she looked too. Michael, whose own multi-faceted career had begun as a folk and rock musician in California, led a small group of baroque players, himself playing on the impressive archlute and theorbo. A vitally new important figure was Ian Chandler who now took on lighting. Ian had been i/c lighting at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, and quickly became adept at the hugely laborious task of trailing cables around the large Deanery garden, working long hours in the blazing sun. Ian is still with us in 2023 and his creativity knows no bounds: he has been an absolute linchpin of nearly all that we’ve done since.

The performance was held later in the summer, on 19 August. Once again, the sunshine was glorious, but the date coincided with national celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of VJ Day. There was no concern about the weather but, as Helen Peacocke recounted: “What everyone overlooked was the possibility of passing aircraft disrupting the performance on their return from VJ Day celebrations. At the very moment Nick Fowler drew breath to begin his aria… an entire squadron of aircraft flying in formation passed over the area. Nick struggled gallantly, but the competition from overhead drowned out Purcell’s gentle melodies completely.” In fact the squadron was no less than the spectacular Red Arrows: Peter Ferstendik immediately telephoned Brize Norton airport – a return fly-over was planned an hour later, but Brize Norton cheerfully diverted them. What power we wielded!

Bampton Summer Opera continued with a December event, although