Magic of Opera in Eastcheap, City of London
About this Event
GS Wines present The Magic of Opera - a gala concert featuring our highly talented artistes, who will perform much loved operatic arias and classical songs, including many by great Italian composers such as Puccini and Verdi.
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UPDATE
SUN 16 AUG 2026 - NEW Addition: Mini Art Exhibition by Mengyao Qin
We are delighted to welcome back artist Mengyao Qin MFA who will be showing some of her recent fabric-based paintings at the Concert Venue. Her art works will bring an air of artistic theatricality to our event - as her works explore "encounters between fantasy, embodiment, and lived experience"! (see her Bio below)
FRI 14 AUG 2026 Mezzo-soprano ANNA LOVEDAY joins the show! To complete the stunning line-up of singers, last but by no means least, we will have British mezzo-soprano, Anna Loveday - who will enhance the music programme with selections from her extensive mezzo repertoire! (see her Bio below)
SAT 8 AUG 2026 Soprano INNA HUSIEVA joins the show! We are absolutely thrilled to welcome acclaimed Ukrainian sopranoto sing with tenor Tom Lidgley! The duo recently performed together in St. Paul's Opera's production of Verdi's La Traviata.
SAT 8 AUG 2026 Post-Concert Dinner at Bangalore Express £31.50per head The Chef at Bangalore Express restaurant has designed a delicious 3-course Indian dinner menu (with sharing of Mains curries) - please see details below.
SUN 2 AUG 2026 Launch of tickets sales! We offer 3 ticket types:
STANDARD £21.50* - includes welcome glass of bubbly, seating facing the altar from Row 2 and above (good view of performance area but not of the pianist), a glass of quality Italian wine or soft drink plus snack during the Intermission, and programme booklet
PREMIUM £25.19* - offer as Standard ticket, except, seating facing the altar on Row 1 (closer to performance area, full view of performance area but not of the pianist); Welcome bubbly and Premium Italian wines served during the Intermission
SUPER PREMIUM £33.50* - offer as Premium ticket, except, seating in the Choir Stalls Pews (Front Seating which run parallel to the side walls, closest to performance area, with view of the pianist)
*Plus Eventbrite fee
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The Italian wines to be served at the concert for different ticket types will be revealed via an update here, nearer the time.
Currently we have:
- Tom Lidgley, British spinto tenor, who gained his Masters degree from the Royal Academy of Music
- Inna Huseiva, Ukranian soprano, who trained at the prestigious Pyotr Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine.
- Anna Loveday, British mezzo-soprano, who possesses a voice that spans beautiful low to powerful high registers, and has an extensive repertoire
- Caroline Jaya-Ratnam, collaborative pianist, who works regularly with BBC Proms
Our singers will draw you into a magical operatic world of passionate emotional highs with their glorious voices and superb technique - accompanied on the YAMAHA Grand piano by the very best collaborative pianist we know, Caroline Jaya-Ratnam!
See the Artistes' Bios below.
Songs to be featured in the concert - to be determined:
(*NB. We are recruiting additional artistes. The exact line-up of singers, pianists and the music programme on the evening are subject to confirmation. Please check Updates Section nearer the time)
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Magic of Opera 2026 - EVENT TIMETABLE (Approx. timetable)
17:20 Doors open for Welcome glass of sparkling wine (or soft drink)
18:30 Introduction
18:40 Concert Begins (approx. time) - first half of operatic arias
19:20 Intermission for refreshments, including glass of quality Italian wine (or fruit juice)
19:45 Second half of concert of operatic arias
20:30 (approx. time) End of concert
20:45 Close
From 20:30 - Optional Dinner [at Bangalore Express - see details below]
NB Times are approximate, and we aim to finish by 20:30
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Our ITALIAN Wines at the concert : (Example below)
The wine-list for "Spring and Romance 2026" - to be updated: (the list of wines shown below are examples from our 2023 presentation, to give an idea of what to expect)
WELCOME
- Torti Casaleggio Sparkling Charmat Rosè NV 12% sparkling, Lombardy Blend of Pinot Nero & Chardonnay grapes. Fully sparkling wine, it has a sweet floral and subtly spicy aroma.
- Rosé 4 you Spumante Brut NV 11% Rosato, Romagna With flavours of plum, red cherries and red berries, this sparkling wine is smooth and refreshing.
INTERMISSION
Selection for PREMIUM Ticketholders
- Vignetti Radica Terre d'Abruzzo Pecorino Bio 2024 IGT 12.5% White, Abruzzo Intensely fruity and well structured wine, with plenty of zesty citrus and white fruit notes.
- Fontana Reale 'Merlonero' Merlot IGT 15% Bio Red, Campania Big, opulent, intensely fruity organic red wine,.bursting with ripe loganberry, raspberry & blackberry fruit flavours, with a hint of liquorice.
- Torti Pinot Noir 2018 IGT 13% Red. Lombardy Delicate perfumes of black cherry, strawberry fl avors and raspberry that lightly dance upon the palate
Selection for Standard Ticketholders
- Scolari Bianco della Casa 12.5% White, Lombardy Soft and mellow, light to medium bodied wine. Some ripe stonefruit, melon and citrus notes, with a hint of pear with a hint of bitterness. Good acidity.
- Cantine Mami Cabernet 12% Red, Campania Medium bodied, soft and fruity wine with some black berry (blackcurrant) and green capsicum notes.
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Artistes' & Artist's Biographies
Inna Husieva is a London-based Ukrainian soprano and National Opera Studio alumna (2021–22) who served as a Scottish Opera Emerging Artist for the 2023–24 season. Originally from Donetsk, she completed her studies at the Pyotr Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine. She has performed in the Concert for Ukraine at Glyndebourne with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and appeared at Wigmore Hall, Cadogan Hall, and LSO St Luke's. She has performed as Violetta Valéry in La Traviata with Scottish Opera.
is a dramatic mezzo soprano, with a Masters Degree in Performance and trained as an opera singer in London. Her voice has a beautiful low register, described as akin to chocolate, with which she is able to shine in operas such as Carmen. She is, however, unusual in that she also has a very powerful top register which enables her to successfully play parts such as Lady Macbeth (Verdi) and Eboli in Don Carlo (Verdi). She has worked with many opera companies in London and the South East as well as touring for several years with Opera Brava.
Tom Lidgley is a young British tenor who has recently graduated from his Master’s degree at the Royal Academy of Music, studying under Adrian Thompson and Janet Haney. Tom also studied with Adrian at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Tom’s operatic experience includes singing Rodolfo in Puccini’s La Bohème (Aquarian Opera Company), Alfred in Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus, Mayor Upfold in Britten’s Albert Herring (GSMD), Chorus & Cover Shallow in Vaughan Williams’ Sir John in Love (BYO), Alfredo in Act 1 of Verdi’s La Traviata (in concert with Aylesbury Opera Company) and various opera scenes and productions at both the Academy and Guildhall. Tom is a former member of the Garsington Youth Opera Company, singing in three operas with them, including the premiere of Roxanna Panufnik’s Silver Birch. Tom has also performed as the Tenor soloist in both Mendelssohn’s Elijah, and Handel’s Messiah.
Following her Masters degree in Music (Cambridge University), accomplished concert pianist, accompanist, violinist and singer Caroline Jaya-Ratnam was appointed Junior Fellow at the Royal College of Music. She has appeared on TV accompanying world renowned opera singers including tenor, Rolando Villazon, baritone Bryn Terfel and soprano Danielle de Niese. She has appeared at the Royal Albert Hall in numerous Proms as part of the London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Concert Orchestra.
is a London-based Chinese artist whose practice explores painting as a performative medium. Working across painting, installation, costume, and performance, she investigates how painting can move between body, architecture, and event. Drawing from dance, theatre, music, film, and mythology, she creates fabric-based installations and wearable paintings that blur the boundaries between image, stage, costume, character, and environment.
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1 Corbet Court, 3-6 Gracechurch St, London EC3V 0AT (7 mins walk from our Concert venue)
Special 'Magic of Opera' Indian Dinner (Set Menu) £31.50 per head
Extra special offer for concert-goers - a 3 course sumptious Indian dinner (vegan and vegetarian options available) NB This is an optional extra and not included in the ticket price (separate payment to be made to GS Wines - to be advised).
3-course SET MENU
Starters (served on sizzling Grill hot plate!)
Classic Chicken Tikka - Chicken, kashmiri chilli & aromatic spices
Lamb Seekh Kebab - Minced lamb kebab
Paneer Tikka
Onion Bhajias
Mains (sharing basis)
Pista Chicken (Pistachio Korma)
Keralan Prawn Curry
Aloo Gajar Muttar (potato, carrot and peas curry)
Plus
Rice (vegan), Naan (garlic and plain), Raita
Dessert
Gulab Jamun and ice cream
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VEGAN OPtion MENU
Starters (plated)
Onion bhajia
Broccoli 65 (spicy broccoli fritters)
Beetroot cutlet
MAIN - choose one from the following
Classic Masala Dosa (pancake)
Chickpea curry with rice
Floating mini idlis (Southern India snacks - steamed rice cake with black lentil)
DESSERT
Mango Sorbet
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VEGETARIAN Option MENU
Starters (plated)
Onion bhajia
Broccoli 65 (spicy broccoli fritters)
Beetroot cutlet
MAIN - choose one from the following
Classic Masala Dosa (pancake)
Chickpea curry with rice
Paneer Butter Masala
Paneer Jalfrezi
DESSERT
Goulab jamun and ice cream
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FAQs
Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?
The concert is open to people of all ages. Alcoholic drinks will be served only to those 18 years of age or older - proof of age might be requested.
What are my transport/parking options for getting to and from the event?
The Guild Church of St. Margaret Pattens is situated on the corner of Rood Lane and Eastcheap. (In its vicinity lie various famous London landmark buildings, including Monument).
The closest tube station is Monument (4 minutes walk) and Bank Station is 10 minutes walk away. Six buses stop 4 minutes walk away at Bishopsgate - Fenchurch Street stop) - nos 35, 47, 149, 344 and 388, all of which link to Liverpool Street Station and London Bridge Station. No 15 bus links the church to Aldgate East station: the nearest stop is on Great Tower Street, only 3 minutes walk away. It has very convenient transport connections.
How can I contact the organiser with any specific questions?
You can contact the organiser Gordon Stuteley by email [email protected]
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 24.00 to GBP 37.00
