Primary school children from South Bucks got into the spirit of the opera by creating a short film for Garsington Opera’s new season.

The Wormsley Estate, in Stokenchurch, will play host to the popular outdoor opera festival once again, opening its doors to visitors from 5 June to 19 July. 

Pupils from Stokenchurch Primary School and Lane End School got together with Garsington Opera Education to create a six-minute introduction video for the first opera of this year’s season, Cosi fan tutte, which included creating their own songs.

The film will be seen across the country as the opera is due to be screened for free at outdoor venues in Skegness, Oxford and Waddesdon as part of the Opera for All project.

The talented year four pupils celebrated their achievement with a screening at Stokenchurch Primary School on Friday, 20 March, which saw children and their parents gather to see the video for the first time.

Harriet Killen, year four teacher said:  “The children had an amazing opportunity and much enjoyed singing and acting. 

“Writing their own songs which were then filmed was a particularly high point and of course interacting with children from Lane End School was very good.”

The 2015 season from the renowned open air summer opera festival looks set to become the best one yet with three new productions, Mozart’s Così fan tutte, Richard Strauss’s autobiographical opera Intermezzo and Death in Venice set to be performed at the annual festival between 5 June and 19 July.

The 26th annual celebration of opera will also have the first partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company, with performances of an abridged version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Ten local actors have also been chosen to take play wedding guests in the opening production, Cosi fan tutte, including Ibstone resident Elena Smirnova, Judith Newenham from Prestwood, Krista Crockford from Lacey Green and Princes Risborough resident Michael Caffrey.

Cosi fan tutte will also be screened for free to a number of venues including Waddesdon on 3 September as part of the Opera for All project.

Public booking for the 2015 season is now open. For tickets, visit www.garsingtonopera.org  or 01865 361636 .