based in Devizes, in the heart of Wiltshire. was founded in 1990 by Geraldine and the late Keith Lawley to bring opera to the local community of Devizes and has since produced over 20 operas including the big A, B, C, of Opera (Aida, Boheme & Carmen). Recently we began a touring opera group which has had very successful tours with Marriage of Figaro, Merry Wives of Windsor and Pirates of Penzance. We also perform various fundraising concerts and recitals through the year.
Arne Kovac studied the piano in Essen (Germany) from the age of 6 first with Gerlinde Dautzenberg and later with Stephan Mueller. While still a student at the Grammar school of Essen-Borbeck he founded the 'Junges Borbecker Musiktheater' where we was musical director for more than 10 years until he moved to Bristol. There he joined Bristol Opera and soon became their musical director. In 2008 he also became musical director for Northavon Youth Theatre School and White Horse Opera.
The range of operas that Arne has conducted includes well known pieces such as "The Marriage of Figaro" which he has already done in three different productions and "The Bartered Bride" which received highly acclaimed reviews. However he also enjoys spectacular performances of less popular works from the 20th century such as "Der Mond" from Carl Orff with 6 percussionists and "Help, Help, the Globolinks" from Gian-Carlo Menotti with prerecorded synthesizer music from tape.
In addition to opera Arne has considerable experience with conducting musicals such as "Into the Woods" (Sondheim) and "Kiss me, Kate" (Porter) and is composer of the musical "Mord im Morgengrauen". He also enjoys playing the piano in recitals or as concert pianist for the vocal ensemble "Amorata".