Testimonials
Robert and Sam Salvoni – custodians of Park House in St Clement, Cornwall – wanted to support the fantastic Duchy Opera company, and introduce new audiences to something called the Opera Buffa. What better way to do so than to open up their beautiful home as a venue, and bring the Opera to the south west?!
“But Opera is stuffy and serious?!” It’s not at Park House!
Opera Buffa is opera, but funny. The music is lively and upbeat, with lyrics that prioritise light-hearted and easy to understand language. It’s all about being entertained and having fun.
In 2021, Park House Opera was born. Four evenings of live performance, drinks, canapes and al-fresco dining. In that first year they welcomed almost 600 guests to share the experience. In 2022, 600 became 700, in 2023, 800…the event grew and grew, but more guests meant more equipment.
The success of the Park House Opera has been as much to do with those involved behind the scenes, as it has its exceptional hosts and we have been supplying the event since its grand opening.
What do you need to host an Opera and three course dinner in your garden?
Tables, chairs, cutlery, glasses, a kitchen! Providing all of this in one easy delivery, Abbotts Event Hire joined the cast!
ACT 1:
The stage was set – Park House in Truro were hosting their first season of Duchy Opera events. Over four days, they would host more than 500 people. The evenings would take place in the gardens of the house. They would start with a drinks reception before guests sat down to a three course alfresco dinner, followed by a live operatic performance.
They wanted an events team to handle everything, from ordering, to delivery, to the post-event takedown. They would need furniture, crockery and catering equipment of a high standard. It’s a classy affair!
THE ARIA (our big solo!):
Park house wanted to capture the luxury and glamour of a night at the opera in every detail of their event, the Abbotts Event Hire team helped bring this vision to life.
The team assisted in selecting tables and chairs that matched the elegance of a grand theatre experience. They paired these with ranges of crockery and glassware that ensured the dinner felt luxurious, formal and glamorous – akin to the Viennese banquet of the Fledermaus Opera.
Alongside aesthetic detailing, the team gave practical advice on the kitchen setup that would best suit the events needs and the venue itself.
To make sure the whole hire experience was smooth and hassle free, the Abbotts Event Hire team were there for both setup and takedown (and handled the washing up!)
By curtain call, the gardens looked like an elegant extension of the on-stage performance.
FINALE:
Since their first show, our high-quality and reliable products have had many an encore. We have been supplying the Park Operas for four years now and we’re already booked for next year! We’d say that Sam and Robert were happy customers!
“Since having the crazy idea to host Duchy Opera in our garden in 2021, complete with dinner and drinks, Abbotts have been there for us every step of the way. We are already planning for our fifth year in 2025, and in that time we have fed and entertained almost 3,000 guests over 15 wonderful nights. Every aspect of the booking, admin, delivery and take-down is a breeze with such a professional and willing team, and the quality of the furniture, crockery, catering equipment etc. is terrific. Thank you Abbotts and see you at parkhouseopera.com in 2025!”
And so we leave you with rave reviews and happy guests, the show must go on after all!