Rain didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the performers nor the audience at the 10th Opera in the Paddock held at the property, Mimosa, Delungra on Saturday March 19.
About 1,100 people, many of them in clear plastic ponchos, sat in light rain for much of the evening. Underfoot was extremely muddy, but the audience seemed to take that in their stride.
Organisers and owners of Mimosa, Bill and Peta Blyth, were ready for the rain. Bill told the Advocate last Monday when asked about the possibility of rain that he had bought 1,000 ponchos.
Even Member for Northern Tablelands, Richard Torbay and other official guests wore ponchos.
Inverell Shire provided some top dressing for the road and parking area.
Bingara Audio Engineer, Martin Hansford of “Wombat Tracks” was again in charge of the sound.
Performers included hostess, Soprano, Peta Blyth OAM., Pianist, David Miller AM, Mezzo Soprano, Inverell-born Elizabeth Campbell, Baritone Shaun Brown, Bass David Hibbard, Conductor Timothy Sexton, Soprano Annabelle Chaffey, and Tenors David Corcoran and Virgilio Marino, the Mimos Orchestra.
Yidaki, or didgeridoo player, Ben Lange performed a solo to an appreciative audience.
The evening concluded with a perfectly timed display of fireworks.
During this, Peta, wearing a very heavy gown on loan from Opera Australia, could not contain her delight and rushed to the end of the stage to enjoy the fireworks show.
Next year’s Opera in the Paddock will be held at the end of March at a date to be advised.
