Grange Park Opera - 2019

[Lat-Literal]

Some of the issues which have prevented me from getting to West Horsley in the past remain but at least now I do own a suit! I see that the season includes "Porgy and Bess" from 8 June to 7 July. Three questions. First, does anyone know if this is the same production as that which received such good reviews at the ENO in Autumn? I did have a ticket for that but was unable to go. Secondly, public booking opens at 10am on Tuesday 5 February 2019 but it is said that priority will be given to people who have, quote, joined a school of support online. In not joining, and from previous experience, are people like me potentially at a serious disadvantage or should plenty of tickets still be available from that time? Thirdly, what is the cancellation policy? Presumably refunds would only be given if the production itself did not go ahead or was substantially different from that advertised, ie not for personal reasons?

[MrGongGong]

I don't own a suit
but have no problem going to the opera if I want to

[Lat-Literal]

I don't own a suit
but have no problem going to the opera if I want to

That's reassuring.

Plus during the summer months one ordinarily can leave one's beanie hat at one's home.

[Dave2002]

Some of the issues which have prevented me from getting to West Horsley in the past remain but at least now I do own a suit! I see that the season includes "Porgy and Bess" from 8 June to 7 July. Three questions. First, does anyone know if this is the same production as that which received such good reviews at the ENO in Autumn? I did have a ticket for that but was unable to go. Secondly, public booking opens at 10am on Tuesday 5 February 2019 but it is said that priority will be given to people who have, quote, joined a school of support online. In not joining, and from previous experience, are people like me potentially at a serious disadvantage or should plenty of tickets still be available from that time? Thirdly, what is the cancellation policy? Presumably refunds would only be given if the production itself did not go ahead or was substantially different from that advertised, ie not for personal reasons?

Several things.

1. I don't think the Porgy and Bess will be the same - though some of the performers may be. If you want to see the ENO production again - assuming it doesn't come back in the next few years, then you'll have to go to New York where I think it'll be performed at the NY Met in 2020. I was really sad not to have seen it this year - I really wanted to go to that one - but it didn't happen.

2. If you want to go then I would suggest that you do book at the earliest opportunity. There may well be priority booking schemes which will favour some people. I think that the Grange Park people can advise you about that if you contact the box office in January. If you really get stuck, then PM me. I can't promise to get you a ticket, but I may be able to help you get one.

3. I think the cancellation policy is moderately tough. You buys the ticket, you attend the performance. If you don't go yourself you can give it away to a friend, or return it to the box office. If there are still seats available returning to the box office doesn't have any effect, but if the event is sold out, then I think you get most of the cost back.

Would it perhaps be worth trying one of the ENO offerings at the Coliseum before embarking on the West Horsley experience? It'd be cheaper, and would give you an idea of what these events are like. Some of the remaining productions are likely to be worth trying - https://www.eno.org/whats-on/eno-2018-19-season-launch/ You could also try one of the Met productions which are shown in cinemas. That's not the same experience, but can still be rather engrossing, and is a lot cheaper. Again, there are some rather enticing productions coming along - https://www.metopera.org/season/in-cinemas/

[Lat-Literal]

Several things.

1. I don't think the Porgy and Bess will be the same - though some of the performers may be. If you want to see the ENO production again - assuming it doesn't come back in the next few years, then you'll have to go to New York where I think it'll be performed at the NY Met in 2020. I was really sad not to have seen it this year - I really wanted to go to that one - but it didn't happen.

2. If you want to go then I would suggest that you do book at the earliest opportunity. There may well be priority booking schemes which will favour some people. I think that the Grange Park people can advise you about that if you contact the box office in January. If you really get stuck, then PM me. I can't promise to get you a ticket, but I may be able to help you get one.

3. I think the cancellation policy is moderately tough. You buys the ticket, you attend the performance. If you don't go yourself you can give it away to a friend, or return it to the box office. If there are still seats available returning to the box office doesn't have any effect, but if the event is sold out, then I think you get most of the cost back.

Would it perhaps be worth trying one of the ENO offerings at the Coliseum before embarking on the West Horsley experience? It'd be cheaper, and would give you an idea of what these events are like. Some of the remaining productions are likely to be worth trying - https://www.eno.org/whats-on/eno-2018-19-season-launch/ You could also try one of the Met productions which are shown in cinemas. That's not the same experience, but can still be rather engrossing, and is a lot cheaper. Again, there are some rather enticing productions coming along - https://www.metopera.org/season/in-cinemas/

That is very helpful Dave2002.

Thank you.

I am sorry you missed Porgy too.

For personal reasons, I lost a lot of money which I couldn't afford in not attending Porgy and La Boheme at the ENO and it was accompanied by considerable disappointment. There had also been a kind opportunity earlier in the year to attend an opera at West Horsley from another forum member but the logistics then were too difficult. Ironically between these two periods, I was able to do quite a lot. I have never been to the US and do not anticipate ever going. However, you might be right vis a vis trying for the ENO first. I'm wary given the recent experiences but am toying with the idea of La Boheme again which is continuing until late February. I looked at Glass's "Akhnaten" but it seems to me that the big Glass event is the forthcoming performance of the Bowie symphony which I have got my good eye on. I know the dates when tickets for that one go on sale but would expect it to sell out in a flash. I appreciate your comments re booking for Grange Park and may well contact you but will only trouble you if and when I am definitely going ahead with it and my solo efforts don't work.

[Serial_Apologist]

That is very helpful Dave2002.

Thank you.

I am sorry you missed Porgy too.

For personal reasons, I lost a lot of money which I couldn't afford in not attending Porgy and La Boheme at the ENO and it was accompanied by considerable disappointment. There had also been a kind opportunity earlier in the year to attend an opera at West Horsley from another forum member but the logistics then were too difficult. Ironically between these two periods, I was able to do quite a lot. I have never been to the US and do not anticipate ever going. However, you might be right vis a vis trying for the ENO first. I'm wary given the recent experiences but am toying with the idea of La Boheme again which is continuing until late February. I looked at Glass's "Akhnaten" but it seems to me that the big Glass event is the forthcoming performance of the Bowie symphony which I have got my good eye on. I know the dates when tickets for that one go on sale but would expect it to sell out in a flash. I appreciate your comments re booking for Grange Park and will contact you but will only trouble you if my solo efforts don't work.

Please, Lat, don't fall for what could well turn out to be a major disappointment, to judge by what I've both heard and read about this piece of Glass orchestration not adding one iota to the Bowie original, and indeed, seriously detracting from it.

[Lat-Literal]

Please, Lat, don't fall for what could well turn out to be a major disappointment, to judge by what I've both heard and read about this piece of Glass orchestration not adding one iota to the Bowie original, and indeed, seriously detracting from it.

Thank you, S_A. I have heard it. I have it on CD if I am not confusing myself which I might be. There might well be two of them. To be frank, I am not going to fight for it if the world and his wife are all trying for tickets and the prices are ridiculous. It would be more for the event than the music per se. But my priority is the La Boheme or the Porgy and Bess or both.