History

The Clonter Opera Theatre was founded in 1974 when Jeffery Lockett, the Artistic Director, invited the Abbey Opera Group to bring an evening of Operatic excerpts to his farm in Cheshire. A barn full of straw bales was converted for the night into an auditorium, and the proceeds went to Cancer Relief. This was continued in the years which followed.

In 1981 the local authority asked that these annual operatic picnics be brought within the rules of the 1968 Theatres Act, providing the impetus for Clonter Opera to become a permanent fixture. The straw tiered seating was removed and a building programme begun to provide fixed seating, gangways and emergency lighting, kitchen, dining and picnic facilities for the audience. The title Opera Farm was changed to Opera Theatre to reflect the improvements made.

A unique residential, touring and educational programme has been developed. Staff members with international experience ensure the highest possible production standards. Residential facilities are provided for the participants, who travel from all over the world.

Each year Clonter Opera auditions young singers at music colleges around the UK, and also holds auditions for singers who have recently embarked on professional careers. Most singers who take part in the opera studios are under 30. They are treated as professionals, rather than as students.

The artistic policy is to select repertoire that is both suitable for young singers and also attractive to the general public. Tailored versions of whole opera allow singers to perform complete roles.
A production is usually taken on tour, ending its run at The Britten Theatre at the Royal College of Music in London funding permitting or to St Columba's church in Pont Street.
Therefore singers have an extended period to 'get to know their roles', an invaluable opportunity and an essential part of the overall vision.

The Clonter Opera Prize, worth £2,000, is the only inter-conservatoire opera prize in the United Kingdom.
Singers are nominated by the heads of opera at the principal music colleges and then go forward to a competition at Clonter Opera Theatre, held each spring.