Humphries Kirk announced as a leading sponsor of the Dorset Opera Festival

Leading Dorset and Somerset law firm Humphries Kirk is sponsoring the Dorset Opera Festival at the end of July.

The festival is held over five days in July at Bryanston School in Blandford, starting on Tuesday July 25 and running until Saturday July 29. Dorset Opera began in 1974 but grew into a festival in 2011 and has since become a firm favourite in the opera calendar. It is now recognised as the home of country house opera in south west England.

Opera stars from around the world will join a chorus of 60 and a full orchestra, to present two fully-staged productions in the original French with English surtitles. This year, audiences will be treated to Gounod’s ‘Faust’ in which the elderly Faust is offered love and eternal youth by the Devil. In contrast, the festival will present Rossini’s ‘Le Comte Ory’ – a light-hearted comedy where the men end up in nun’s habits.

Katharine Jones, partner at Humphries Kirk, said: “Having such a high calibre festival in Dorset is a rare treat as it brings international opera stars right to our doorstep.

“We are delighted to sponsor the festival for a third year running and continue to be passionate about supporting events that further enhance the cultural life of our county.”

Dorset Opera Festival artistic director, Roderick Kennedy, said: “We’re very grateful to Humphries Kirk for their continued support. Their long-standing enthusiasm and sponsorship of the festival is hugely appreciated.”

To make the experience complete, culinary delights on offer include champagne from Pol Roger, luxury picnic hampers from the famous Salt Pig in Wareham, delicious ices from Purbeck Ice Cream and five-course dinners served in Bryanston House.

Humphries Kirk provides legal expertise to private and commercial clients, with offices in Dorchester, Crewkerne, Wareham, Swanage, Poole, Parkstone, Bournemouth and London as well and an international network of lawyers.