Visit Devon where opera really gets the seal of approval

Visit Devon this summer and you will find that opera is making a splash in the most unexpected places including with the seals off the North Devon coast. The New Devon Opera will be performing “Traviata Flash Opera” or edited highlights taken from Verdi’s much-loved La Traviata on the streets of Exeter next month, as part of the city’s Summer Festival. But opera singing in Devon appears to have attracted a brand new audience elsewhere. Fifty two year old amateur opera singer Paul Chandler from Exeter has been rehearsing for his part in the New Devon Opera’s production of La Traviata while out scuba diving with seals, near Lundy Island. Paul who sings bass in the chorus is a consultant geologist and understands how sound travels through water. Last summer, he was out scuba diving when he thought he would try singing to the seals: “I have a very deep bass voice and I thought I would try some notes by singing through the regulator - a piece of diving equipment which helps me breathe through my mouth under water. I tried a few notes from Mozart’s famous opera the Magic Flute and the sound was picked up by some curious male seals that came to investigate.” Paul’s singing soon attracted further attention: “the regulator acts as a sort of megaphone and other seals in the area soon become interested in my singing.” He is now preparing for a new production La Traviata which he will sing to shoppers at various venues in Exeter as part of the Festival as well as at a number of productions being staged in the county by New Devon Opera. Paul, who as a boy was thrown out of the school choir, only discovered that he could sing opera two years ago at the age of fifty, when a stranger in a pub heard his deep speaking voice and suggested he gave opera a try. After a course of singing lessons, Paul has now found a new vocation in his life and hopes soon to graduate to solo parts. In the meantime, Paul will continue to rehearse with the seals who he says are a great audience to perform to: “The seals do seem to like singing and come up and show their appreciation by nuzzling my arm. They are inquisitive creatures by nature and it is great to find a new audience, whoever they are.” The Exeter Summer Festival (25 June – 10 July) will feature 40 separate cultural events from comedy, classical music, drama and exhibitions. Visit: www.exeter.gov.uk/summerfestival. For details about accommodation for the Exeter Summer Festival check out www.exeterandessentialdevon.co.uk . “Flash Opera Traviata” performed by the New Devon Opera will take place at a number of venues in Exeter city centre on Saturday 10 July. There will be 25 minute performances (sung in English) presented by a trio of singers at four venues: 9.45am at the Exeter Quayside (at the start of the Regatta), 11.45am Catherine Street, 13.45am Guildhall Shopping Centre, 15.45am Princesshay Shopping Centre. Complete performances of La Traviata will be staged at the Courtyard of Ugbrook House, near Chudleigh, near Newton Abbott (23/24 July), check out: www.newdevonopera.co.uk . About Visit Devon Visit Devon is the destination management organisation responsible for promoting Devon to the world. The organisation acts as a voice for tourism in Devon and its aim is simple - to increase the number of visitors to Devon by promoting the county as a year-round destination for business or leisure. The organization brings together, adds value to and enhances the work and activities undertaken by the six Area Tourism Partnerships across the county. Visit Devon is committed to growing the tourism sector sustainably, increasing the skills within the industry, and raising the quality of the visitor experience. Visit Devon is a public-private partnership limited by guarantee. The not for profit company comprises of nine member organizations including the six Area Tourism Partnerships (Exeter and Essential Devon, Visit Plymouth, North Devon+, The Dartmoor Partnership, The English Riviera Tourist Board, and Visit South Devon) Devon County Council, The Devon Association of Tourist Attractions (Data), and Devon Farms. Visit Devon is the trading name of Destination Devon Ltd.

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