GUESTS of Cannonteign Falls were treated to the sights and sounds of the Devon Opera’s sell out summer performance of The Passion of Puccini, raising £12,000 for good causes in the process.

Together with Dowager Countess of Devon, Cannonteign Estate Owners Chris and Kate Bayliss hosted over 150 guests in a memorable evening of opera and philanthropy.

Guests enjoyed drinks and a two course supper on the banks of Canonteign Falls’ Lily Lake before enjoying  an evening of arias from Puccini’s best-known operas and a staged performance of Act 3 from La bohème. 

The sell out show was performed by the Devon Opera, a charitable opera group engaging in public performances anddeveloping artistic talent of all ages across the county.

The event was held in support of Exeter Cathedral’s Music Foundation which provides critical financial support to sustain Exeter Cathedral’s musical tradition including; choral outreach, robes, sheet music, Cathedral organ maintenance as well as the choral scholars programme.  

Canonteign Falls’ owner, Kate Baylis, who is also a trustee of Exeter Cathedral’s Music Foundation, said  ‘We enjoyed such a special night of Opera at Canonteign Falls, raising around £12,000 for Exeter Cathedral Music Foundation which we know will make such a difference.  

‘We want to say a special  thank you to our supporters including J&P Construction, Heltor Oil, Atkins Ferrie Wealth Management, The House of Marbles, The Devon Marquee Company, The Golden Bottle Trust, as well as to the raffle prize donors, and all the guests who bought tickets and made donations to support the Foundation.’