Richmond Opera is delighted to have been accepted to perform to the affirmation picnic on Sunday 8 June, 2025. We are grateful to Richmond council and to the Richmond in Europe Association for this opportunity to share some excerpts of two recent productions. Other groups perform from 11:45 onwards, and we will perform our excerpts for about 40 minutes from 3 pm.
Monteverdi’s “Orfeo”
Monteverdi’s “Orfeo” is one of the earliest musical compositions recognised as an opera, composed in 1607 for the court in Mantua. The story of Orfeo (Orpheus) and Euridice has been used in many forms and by other opera composers including Gluck and Offenbach). Our performance covers the more upbeat first act of the story, with the lead-up to and beyond their wedding. We leave off before Euridice’s death from a snakebite after the wedding, and Orfeo’s ultimately unsuccessful attempt to retrieve her from Hades.
| Character | Singer |
| Orfeo (Orpheus) | Hugh Benson |
| Euridice, betrothed to Orfeo | Erin Holmes |
| Sylvia (Messenger and Bridesmaid) | Ruth Vanni |
| Pastorella (Shepherdess) | Lois Heslop |
| Pastorella (Shepherdess) | Victoria Kunesch |
| Pastor (Shepherd) | Luke Reader |
| Nymph | Claire Doran |
| Chorus of villagers | Peter Brown, Philip Johnson, Peter Lynch, Catherine McManus, Amélie Saintonge, Louise Stuber, John Rolt |
- Musical Director and Accompanist: Lindsay Bramley
- Stage Director: Patricia Gómez
Handel’s “Semele”
Semele is a mortal princess who is seduced by Jupiter (aka Jove), the King of the Gods and they enjoy “Endless pleasure, endless Love” for a while. That is until Jupiter’s wife, Juno catches up and it doesn’t end well!
| Character | Singer |
| Jupiter, King of the Gods; married to Juno but fancies other women | Hugh Benson |
| Juno, Queen of the Gods and Jupiter’s wife | Ruth Vanni |
| Semele, mortal princess, abducted by Jupiter | Naomi Kilby |
| Ino, Semele’s younger sister | Erin Holmes |
| Cupid (leading the “Endless Pleasure” chorus) | Claire Doran |
| Chorus of villagers | Peter Brown, Lois Heslop, Philip Johnson, Victoria Kunesch, Peter Lynch, Catherine McManus, Luke Reader, John Rolt, Amélie Saintonge, Louise Stuber |
- Musical Director and Accompanist: Lindsay Bramley
- Project Manager (Twinning Picnic): Luke Reader
Richmond Opera 