The Surrey Opera website is hosted on a ASRock Beebox N3000 PC (see image) using free software: (Nginx web server running on Debian GNU/Linux ). It is built using the Hugo static site builder.

TIM BALDWIN was born in Norwich and educated in Somerset before studying Electronic Engineering at Southampton University.

Jonathan Butcher is an experienced and versatile conductor/MD, whose repertoire not only encompasses all the major orchestral, choral and operatic works, but also includes a large selection of 20th and 21st Century compositions and first performances. He has a particular passion for the chamber orchestral repertoire and is much admired for his work with young people and students.

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor lived here – at 6 St. Leonards Road, formally known as Aldwick, for the last few years of his all too short life. He and his family had apparently moved here from their previous home, Hillcrest, on the London Road in Norbury, because it was too noisy for his composing. Incidentally – it was at Hillcrest, now demolished, that SC-T composed Thelma, his only large-scale opera of which we, Surrey Opera, gave the World Première at the start of this, the Centenary year of his death.

Jonathan Butcher talked about George Hooper and his paintings on the late Croydon Radio. Listen:

Never heard of “Thelma”? Well now is your chance!

Musical works that have never been performed usually have an interesting story behind them – either they are lousy, unfinished, or the composer felt dissatisfied with it, but none of these reasons apply to “Thelma”.

For anything to do with publicity, please email Surrey Opera Publicity .

Here are some other, similar opera companies …

• Kentish Opera
• Guildford Opera
• New Sussex Opera

… and, of course …

We receive no regular funding for our productions and are reliant on sponsors and fundraising to help finance our shows as ticket sales alone rarely cover costs of putting on our productions.

For each production, the company engages a professional director and designer. Nationally known directors and designers who have worked with us include:

Our principals are often young professional singers at the start of their careers. Surrey Opera gives them a chance to gain experience and develop their talents. Singers who have worked with us and gone on to highly successful operatic careers include:

Surrey Opera seeks to provide:

• Opera to a high professional standard in Surrey, Sussex and Kent - at affordable prices
• Opportunities for young singers, directors and designers in the early stages of their careers
• the chance for young people to explore opera through workshops, collaboration and reduced ticket prices

Under the artistic direction of Jonathan Butcher , we stage two productions a year at a variety of venues.

• We have a Cross pictured here, crafted by Ray Locke for our production of Tosca .
• A wide selection of costumes and a good selection of Ladies Concert Evening Wear for hire. If any person should wish to come to see for themselves, then contact Pat at mailto:patkel@blueyonder.co.uk .
• For hire at competitive rates: 4 pedal timps and an eclectic array of props, furniture and items of scenery. Please contact Ray Locke on mailto:raymondlocke@gmail.com .