DEVELOPMENT

In the late 1990s as the company began to evolve, we realised that we needed a distinctive ‘voice’, characteristics which might help build a reputation, create audiences, and mark us out as a small company to watch. Growing confidence and a sense that we were appreciated spurred us on. We identified a niche in the market that we could fill – whilst Baroque period opera was well explored there seemed less interest in the operas of the ‘classical’ period (c1740-c1800) other than the inevitable presence of Mozart. We began to be excited by the possibilities of performing rare ‘classical’ period works and a sense of long-term purpose.

Administrative and financial issues also needed addressing and in 1999-2000 we took the significant step of becoming incorporated as a registered Company and Charity. This valuably enhanced our potential for fundraising and our organisational efficiency.

The company’s charitable Object set out in its constitution was, and is, “to advance education for the public benefit by the promotion of the arts, in particular but not exclusively the art of opera”. To put this into practice, we evolved three main ambitions:

- to present a high standard of opera and other concerts at reasonable prices, in both rural and urban venues

- to support the development of the most talented young professional singers and other artists early in their careers

- to perform rare works of the classical period, sung in English.

We have always wanted to maintain ticket prices at a reasonable level and to avoid becoming an ‘elitist’ company for the wealthy, although this necessitates considerable fundraising. Opera is historically the most expensive of the performing arts – a production at Bampton, for example, involves professional payments to around 30 – 40 musicians, the hire of staging, lights, marquees and portaloos, the creation of scenery and costumes, the promotional costs of publicity and PR, plus all the invisible costs of banking, insurance and much else. Our ticket price only covers one-third of our costs, and the rest must be raised from supportive donors and grants. Fundraising is an arduous task each year, although the growth and loyalty of our Friends organisation has helped keep us afloat, including through the trauma of the pandemic year. We are so grateful to everyone who donates and helps us to continue producing outstanding music.

“the acme of the picnic-with-opera experience for non-plutocrats… and finding the cream of up-and-coming singers and musicians” (Classical Music)

"invariably slick, always cleverly imaginative....terrific value for money" (Opera Now)

“Ploughing a jovial furrow of forgotten 18th-century repertoire, and in the process unearthing some real gems… and performing them … for some of the best ticket-prices available in England, Bampton has punched far above its weight in giving a first break to singers and conductors who now have world reputation.” (Opera Now)