Bristol Opera

As I’m sure you are all aware, the spread of COVID-19 globally is causing a lot of changes to our day to day life, with information changing daily and measures being put in place to slow the spread of the virus and protect the most vulnerable in our society.

As such, Bristol Opera will be following guidelines set by the UK Government and the WHO around social distancing.

Opera rehearsals will be suspended with immediate effect until 25th June. This is subject to any changes in guideline between now and then
Auditions for Hugh the Drover will be delayed until further notice. We will make an announcement when a new date is arranged
Our production of Hugh the Drover will be postponed until September/October. This is dependent on the availability of the venue and performers
Subject to changes to official guidelines, we are considering rehearsing through summer, effectively bringing our summer break forward.

Arne, Graham and the rest of the committee are working hard behind the scenes to ensure we are all ready to go when restrictions are lifted. In the meantime, keep yourselves safe and we look forward to seeing you when we meet again.

Auditions for Hugh the Drover will be taking place on Thursday 26th March, at Horfield United Reformed Church between 7:30PM and 9:30PM. If you would like to audition for any of the roles below, please contact [email protected]. Alternatively, we are still accepting new members who with to join the chorus. Please contact [email protected] or see this page for more information.

Principle Roles

Role	Voice Type	Role Details
Hugh the Drover	Tenor	The romantic lead. An outsider who won’t give up his wandering life and settle down.
Mary	Soprano	The girl who is about to be trapped in a loveless marriage when Hugh comes into her life.
The Constable	Bass-Baritone	Mary’s father. Very pompous. Thinks he can bully Mary into marrying the man of his choice.
John the Butcher	Bass-Bariton	A vicious thug, but the man the Constable wants Mary to marry.
Aunt Jane	Mezzo-Soprano	Mary’s aunt, fussy and motherly, but ultimately accepting that Mary can only be happy with Hugh.
The Turnkey	Tenor	A jobsworth whose love of alcohol makes him pretty useless.

Other Roles

In addition to the main roles, there are several smaller parts. Those wishing to audition for these roles may also join the chorus.

Role Role Details

The Cheap-Jack A dodgy pedlar at the fair. Can be played by a man or a woman.

The Showman Another person trying to make a living from the fair, who is very patriotic and also arranges the boxing-match between Hugh and John. Can be played by a man or a woman.

The Ballad-Seller Can be played by a man or a woman.

The Shellfish-Seller Male role

The Primrose-Seller Female role

Susan, Nancy, William and Robert An SATB Semi-Chorus

The Fool Not the village idiot, but a jester who accompanies the Morris Dancers. Can be played by a man or a woman

The Innkeeper Sings one line

The Sergeant An important part, who saves Hugh from being lynched.

Role	Role Details
The Cheap-Jack	A dodgy pedlar at the fair. Can be played by a man or a woman.
The Showman	Another person trying to make a living from the fair, who is very patriotic and also arranges the boxing-match between Hugh and John. Can be played by a man or a woman.
The Ballad-Seller	Can be played by a man or a woman.
The Shellfish-Seller	Male role
The Primrose-Seller	Female role
Susan, Nancy, William and Robert	An SATB Semi-Chorus
The Fool	Not the village idiot, but a jester who accompanies the Morris Dancers. Can be played by a man or a woman
The Innkeeper	Sings one line
The Sergeant	An important part, who saves Hugh from being lynched.

If you are not yet a member of Bristol Opera, a £10 audition fee will be required. If you are successful in your audition, this fee will be put towards your membership fee for the period. Please see our membership page for information about fees,

Hugh the Drover will be performed on Saturday 20th June 2020 at Tyndale Baptist Church. This will be a semi-staged production.