Opera in Oxford.

30 July-27 Aug 2006. The Jacqueline du Pr Music Building and the Oxford Castle provide contrasting settings for Opera Anywheres production of Great Opera Moments on 30 July and 24-27 Aug respectively. Director Anna Pelly has adapted snippets from operas by Bizet, Mozart, Puccini, Handel and Britten among others to give newcomers to opera a taste of an art form often perceived to be somewhat elitist. Creating a parallel scenario using well-known films or genres, Pelly gives the selected pieces an instantly recognizable context for example Scarpia from Puccinis Tosca becomes a Nazi SS officer and Cosi Fan Tutti gets a Star Trek setting. The programme in two acts includes excerpts from Semele by Handel, Don Giovanni by Mozart, Pearl Fishers by Bizet and Poppea by Monteverdi. Modern opera is also on offer with arias from Albert Herring by Benjamin Britten, The Medium by Giancarlo Menotti and Flight by Jonathon Dove. The cast includes Patrick Ashcroft, Cheryl Enever, Nick Gee, Ian Gifford, Claire Stoneman and Vanessa Woodward. Admission 15, concessions 12.50. Performance starts 18.30 at Jacqueline du Pr; 17.30 at Oxford Castle. Spectators are encouraged to bring a picnic.