Bampton Classical Opera, founded in 1993, has a policy of ‘breathing new life into little-known works of the classical period’, performing in English ‘with the best of the country’s young singers’.

The Times
'The epitome of opera in a garden'

PMF involvement:

2007 Benda’s Romeo and Juliet (UK première) performed at Buxton Opera House
3 December 2008
The Independent

‘Thank heavens for little opera companies: never having heard a note of Georg Benda, I was curious to know how his Romeo and Juliet would come across, with its famously happy
ending. This production had a sweetly homespun feel from the start… But from the moment Juliet opened her mouth, we might have been listening to a blend of Handel and early Mozart. This may have been because the accompanying band was the superb London Mozart Players, but it was principally the musical language: the textures and the interplay between voices and woodwind and strings were all instantly recognisable.

One only realised it wasn't Mozart as the drama was ratcheted up – Benda was a good composer, not a great one – but the denouement was delightful, with Juliet springing out of her tomb, Capulet slapping Romeo on the back, and hugs all round. Well, why not? ‘