Classical music fans will be in raptures as international soloists appear at the Opera in Oborne festival this summer.

Every year, St Cuthberts Church in the village of Oborne, near Sherborne, is transformed into a theatre for a weekend of sublime sound.

The event encourages first time operagoers and aims to make opera accessible to all.

TV screens are used to show the audience plot prompts throughout the four productions which are spread across six performances.

Mozart’s The Magic Flute invites the audience to step into a world of enchantment, adventure and unforgettable music.

This beloved opera blends dazzling arias, whimsical characters and a timeless story of love and courage.

An afternoon of contrast and discovery awaits with Bach’s witty Coffee Cantata sparkling with charm and humour, while Wagner’s deeply expressive Wesendonck Lieder offers lush, intimate songs filled with passion and longing.

Together they create a double bill to take audiences on a rich and rewarding musical journey.

Meanwhile, al fresco vibes beckon at Opera in the Park – pack a picnic, bring a chair, and enjoy a relaxed summer afternoon of glorious music on Oborne Playing Field.

This informal concert features four exceptional singers accompanied by pianist John Cuthbert, performing a joyful mix of opera favourites and show tunes in a wonderfully laid‑back setting.

And finally, a night at the silent movies invites people to experience cinema as it was originally enjoyed with this special screening of the 1922 classic Nosferatu.

In the atmospheric setting of St Cuthbert’s Church, the film is brought to life with live piano accompaniment from John Cuthbert.

Arrive early for drinks and wood‑fired pizzas, then settle in for a hauntingly memorable evening.

Opera in Oborne takes place between Wednesday, August 5 and Sunday, August 9, with ticket prices ranging from £10 – £45.

Proceeds from the event go towards funding the upkeep of the church. More information and tickets are available from the Opera in Oborne website.

The story of Opera in Oborne

Since 2012, Opera In Oborne has dazzled packed houses with unique and exciting performances.

Past events include Don Giovanni, The Magic Flute, Le Nozze di Figaro, Die Fledermaus, La Traviata, La Bohème, Il Segreto di Susanna, Carmen, Cosi Fan Tutte and Tosca.

More modern productions have included None But The Lonely Heart, The Tales Of Hoffman, The Impresario, The Goose of Cairo, Dream Lovers, The Telephone, Trouble in Tahiti and Cox and Box.

Testimonials for Opera in Oborne

“What a wonderful evening. We could not have enjoyed the Opera more. It was magnificent. Please pass on our thanks to all those who worked so hard in making the evening special. With our best wishes”

“As someone who has studied opera singing seriously and taken part in performances over the years, I would like to say how impressed I was with the abridged version of Don Giovanni put on by the Intermezzo Soloists in Oborne Church.”