Afternoon Tea with Jane Metcalfe

Last Sunday, we were treated to a very entertaining afternoon with Jane Metcalfe, the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company’s principal mezzo between 1975 and 1979. A wonderful speaker, Jane gave a very amusing and informative talk, providing an insider’s view to her time with the Company including touring with fellow principals, Kenneth Sandford and John Reed.

The audience was kept spellbound with her anecdotes including the time that raccoons were part of her audience at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles and meeting Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle when not everyone behaved impeccably! Jane featured in the last ever recordings of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company and it was a joy to hear some of these in the selection of music played at this event. We also all shared in a bountiful afternoon tea which contributed to what was a most enjoyable occasion.