Mission Statement

Clonter Farm Music Trust (CFMT) is committed to provide the highest quality training and performance opportunities for singers who are usually at the beginning of their professional careers, although when appropriate more established artists are engaged. Residential facilities and a staff of exceptional calibre ensure that singers, selected after comprehensive auditions, achieve maximum potential during the 'opera studios' and thereafter. The mission is to 'bridge the gap' between conservatoire and professional work.

Each year Clonter Opera auditions young singers at music colleges around the UK, and also holds auditions for singers who have recently embarked on professional careers. Most singers who take part in the opera studios are under 30. They are treated as professionals, rather than as students.

The artistic policy is to select repertoire that is both suitable for young singers and also attractive to the general public. Tailored versions of whole operas allow singers to perform complete roles. The main production is taken on tour to The Britten Theatre at the Royal College of Music in London. This gives the singers an extended period to get to know their roles, is an invaluable opportunity and an essential part of the overall vision.

Clonter Opera Theatre was founded in 1974 when Jeffery Lockett, the Artistic Director, invited the Abbey Opera Group to bring an evening of operatic excerpts to his farm in Cheshire. A barn full of straw bales was converted for the night into an auditorium, and the proceeds went to Cancer Relief. This was continued in the years which followed.

In 1981 the local authority asked that these annual operatic picnics be brought within the rules of the 1968 Theatres Act, providing the impetus for Clonter Opera to become a permanent fixture. The straw tiered seating was removed and a building programme begun to provide the fixed seating which can be seen today.

Through the creation of CFMT a unique residential, touring and educational programme was developed and continues to grow helping young singers in the 21st century.

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I was introduced to the magic of Clonter Opera many years ago by Leonard Hancock who was my mentor and hero. He was a wonderful vocal coach, who knew all the repertoire and 'sympathised' with singers. He was the equivalent of an experienced sports coach who understood the complex psychology of singing, the most important facet being that the vocal instrument is inside the body as opposed to a musical instrument which sits in your music room!

When Jeffery Lockett spoke to me about the possibility of becoming Clonter Opera's Musical Director, I felt that I could continue the valuable work of Leonard for the new young singers, within the special environment and supportive nature of this opera company.

For many years Clonter Opera has provided a vehicle for professional opera singers of the future, who nowadays are required not only to sing gloriously, but also to act, move well and look good.

In a protected environment away from the distractions of a city, a singer can concentrate on perfecting all these varied talents with important support from top class directors and coaches and become an all round, marketable performer. Whereas an actor is required to communicate with an audience, an opera singer has to additionally master a vocal instrument which cannot be seen, sing complex music and coordinate this singing with a conductor and the orchestra.

Anthony Legge
Director of Opera at the Royal Academy of Music
and Musical Director of Clonter Opera

I had heard much of the Lockett's exploits through the artists who have worked there. What was immediately apparent from these reports was the artistic pedigree of the place and especially Clonter's ability to discover and nourish exciting new talent.

Clonter Opera unquestionably merits support. Young singers are benefiting enormously from this Company's work and, because of the level of talent employed by them, considerable enjoyment is created for Clonter's audiences.

Sir George Christie
Glyndebourne & Patron, Clonter Opera