Programme for the 2025–26 (94th) Season
Sunday 5th October 2025 at 2.30 pm
"I have a pretty turn for anecdote"
Our President David Mackie will be in conversation with David Walton and will enchant us with some piano music.
It is 50 years this year since he joined the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company.
The Norman Beckett meeting.
Sunday 9th November 2025 at 2.30 pm
"let the air with joy be laden"
Our member David Goulden has organised a concert for us of professional young singers he taught when they were at school.
The Sheila Taylor meeting.
Tuesday 2nd December 2025 on Zoom at 7.30 pm
"wherever that isle may be"
Andy Hill, the present owner of D’Oyly Carte Island on the Thames, will tell us about restoring the house and his plans for the future.
The Harold Sumner meeting.
Tuesday 13th January 2026 on Zoom at 7.30 pm
"Happy to meet you all once more"
Jane Metcalfe, principal mezzo-soprano with the D’Oyly Carte 1975 to 1979, will stroll down memory lane and tell us some of her activities since then.
Tuesday 10th February 2026 on Zoom at 7.30 pm
"Red and Yellow! Primary Colours! Oh, South Kensington!"
Our member Raymond Walker, co-author of the scenic book, Backdrop to a Legend: The Scenic Design of the D‘Oyly Carte Opera Company, full of excellent images of D’Oyly Carte sets, has fresh historic and interesting Savoy photos to show.
Sunday 1st March 2026 at 2.30 pm
"he'll give you any further information"
Our member Paul Taylor will entertain us with another of his popular evenings at an opera, The Mikado this time.
Paul investigates the time in which it was written and details of interest about it.
Sunday 19th April 2026 at 2.30 pm
"with laughing song and merry dance"
CELEBRITY CONCERT WITH PHOEBE SMITH.
Phoebe studied at the Royal Academy of Music, and performs regularly with the National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company.
Accompanied on the piano by David Wheeler.
Admission: members £5, visitors £7.
Tuesday 19th May 2026 on Zoom at 7.30 pm
"What ought we to do?"
Annual General Meeting.