Tue 10th Apr, 2012
Bespoke opera and classical music for your wedding
I'm delighted to feature the fabulous Opera Bespoke on the blog this morning.
Founded by professional opera singer, Margaret Cooke, Opera Bespoke provides exceptional, classical musical performances for all parts of your wedding day, whether it's a solo opera singer to wow your guests at the marriage ceremony, a string quartet at your drinks reception, or surprise singing waiters during the wedding breakfast.
All their young experienced artists have performed at the highest level with the country's top opera houses and orchestras, including The Royal Opera House, Glyndebourne, English National Opera, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Albert Hall. They have also appeared with some of the top pop acts of our time, most notably Dame Shirley Bassey, Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney.
Ever since Margaret was a little girl, performing has been in her blood. Her passion for music was spotted at the tender age of 11 months when she jumped up from the floor and started girating (in the way wobbly toddlers do) to Hot Chocolate’s “You Sexy Thing”! Her appreciation of music has accompanied her throughout her life and after dipping her toe into pop, jazz and musical theatre, her heart and talents eventually led her to the wonderful world of opera.
"I’ve performed for many of the UK’s top opera companies in various operas from classics like “Carmen” to modern contemporary productions where I’ve been required to appear on stage covered head to toe in green body paint! Never once have I experienced a moment of boredom – always challenged and exhilarated. There is nothing comparable to the feeling of singing with a live orchestra to an auditorium packed with expectant spectators and critics. On an opera stage, there is nowhere to hide; no room for error and you owe it to yourself and your audience to push yourself to your limits. As Maria Callas, the great soprano said:” An opera begins long before the curtain goes up and ends long after it has come down. It starts in my imagination, it becomes my life, and it stays part of my life long after I've left the opera house”.
The Ebury Collection wedding blog. Photography copyright 2012 Opera Bespoke
"Although performing on stage in an opera is spine-tinglingly exciting, I’ve always loved the curtain call and hearing how the audience communicate their enjoyment of the performance and reward each singer for their hard work. I always wish I could chat to them backstage and find out what they thought of the performance, whether they are opera buffs or newcomers and generally connect and get to know them. Sadly, the professional opera world does not cater for this sort of familiarity and my aim has been to bring the magic of opera performance, up close and personal.
For many opera is seen as entertainment for the upper classes, a very formal event where you dare not sneeze. But without knowing it you will be amazed at how much opera you already know and love. You will have been mesmerised by Luciano Pavarotti’s rendition of “Nessun Dorma” from Turandot by Puccini during the 1990 Fifa World Cup and delighted as you hear the “Flower Duet” from Lakme by Delibes when played in British Airways adverts and films such as the American President and Meet the Parents."
I set up Opera Bespoke to provide entertainment for weddings. All our singers perform at the highest level with the country's top opera houses and have the ability to transform all aspects of your wedding into a truly unforgettable experience. Solos and duets during your wedding ceremony, a string quartet or live popular opera during your drinks reception? A popular choice with brides and grooms are our surprise singing waiters, chefs and hidden guests. Our fantastic surprise singing waiters and hidden guests can transform your wedding into a day that you and your guests will talk about for years to come. What we love about our Singing Waiter performances is that every wedding is individual and every audience is different. We can never predict how an audience is going to react – “stunned”, “amazed”, “in awe”, “blown away”, “tears of joy” are just some of the comments we have received."
What could add to the sense of occasion more on your wedding day than experiencing the country’s top opera singers singing live, close up, especially for you - and don’t worry, not only are you allowed to sneeze during our performances, you are positively encouraged to sing along and wave your napkins in the air!
All Opera Bespoke packages can be tailored to suit any budget, no matter how big or small, taking pride in making Opera and Classical Entertainment widely accessible whilst maintaining the highest possible standards.
To find out more or discuss your wedding requirements, please contact Margaret on 020 8354 3112 or email info@operabespoke.com
"As performers, we derive immense enjoyment and satisfaction from performing so directly to an audience and immersing ourselves in the atmosphere. The most important thing is that we create lasting memories which will always remain in the hearts of brides and grooms up and down the country but I think the comments from our clients say it better:"
“Words will never be enough to say how much we enjoyed the opera singers. All the guests are still talking about it. They said it was absolutely stunning and even the children were so happy. It was just magical and my husband and daughter cried and said it was the highlight of the evening. My husband congratulated me for organising such a wonderful event and said he will never forget those two opera singers. As I said, I just cannot express how much happiness they gave to our wedding breakfast”.
“I wanted to say a big big thank you to everyone at Opera Bespoke for making our wedding day so magical. Although it has been over a month now since we got married, when we see people who were at our wedding, the first thing they say is how brilliant the opera singers were. It made a real difference, and made our wedding so just that little bit more special and unique. My 7 and 4 year old nephews keep singing "funiculi, funicula" and waving napkins around whenever we go to their house!! Please pass on our sincere thanks to the three singers”
“The performers were outstanding and added that extra special edge to our day. The power of the performance was shown on the faces of all of our guests, there was a mixture of initial confusion, followed by sheer delight and enjoyment. Nessun Dorma provoked a few tears amongst family members, but tears of contentment and remembrance. A truly stunning performance for a truly stunning day”.
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