Opera South has seen many changes since 2008, with David Swayne as Treasurer and Finance Director replacing
Dorothee Burton,who had loyally served as the Treasurer for the past 12 years. We thank her for all her hard work. I am
glad she will still be seen in our chorus. David’s wife Anjie took over as Production Manager from Vanessa Blaber
for this production of La Perichole. We will all miss Vanessa, who has worked so hard for Opera South for the past 15
years, but I am pleased to report that you will still be seeing something of her. On Dennis Drysdale’s
retirement Carolann Martys became Chairman of the Operations Committee - the back room boys (and girls) who
help plan and keep the whole thing ticking throughout the year. Thank you Dennis for all your hard work. We were all
shocked when Wispers School closed down suddenly in 2008, taking with it the new office we had based there with financial
aid from the National Lottery. Fortunately, at the kind invitation of De Vere Venues, Opera South is currently housed in
a lovely large office at Branksome Place, Hindhead Road, Haslemere. This is a very pleasant place for our volunteers to work.
In the midst of all these changes, I mused about what makes Opera South “tick”. Outside the major opera
houses, opera companies seem to fall into a number of categories. Some are promoted by land owners who have good facilities
and are personally enthusiastic about opera. Others function with the benefit of full time paid staff. Some companies are
run by the singers themselves or by their agent. Some are "summer schools" and others are run by amateurs
for amateurs in their own immediate locality. In 1984 Opera Omnibus, the predecessor of Opera South, started largely in
the latter way but now this regional company does not readily fall into any of these categories.
It is our constant aim to achieve the highest standards we can. Whilst the principals are not involved in the running of
the company, we seek to engage the best young professional singers, following extensive auditions, and offer them
the opportunity to work with a well trained regionally based chorus, experienced directors, and a professional orchestra.
This means that Opera South is both very challenging and fun to run. We are heavily dependent on the wider community effort
put in by many volunteers. The Chorus, the Trustees, the members of the General Committee and the Operations Committee all
give freely of their time and expertise and by aiming and achieving their highest standards the company
“ticks”. Frequently given credit by the national press and others, it is this ambitious approach that inspires
so many (and not just the Trustees or Committee members) to give of their best and which encourages you the audience
to come to our performances. Our tickets may seem expensive but without the generosity of a few individuals they would be much
more. The substantial voluntary input combined with the professionalism offered by our soloists, the orchestra, set and
costume designers and our directors means Opera South is always good value for money.
I invite you to sit back and enjoy to the full Offenbach’s humour and lightness of touch in this operetta which is
so rarely performed.
Anthony Ramsden
La Périchole 2010: Anthony Ramsden can be seen front right.
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