OPERA South is starting its 33rd year and 118 guests enjoyed Champagne and canapes before the annual new year concert and dinner held at The Georgian Hotel, Haslemere earlier this month.

The concert of arias, excerpts from operas and musical shows was presented by three young talented, enthusiastic professional singers, Alison Rose, soprano, Katie Stevenson, mezzo-soprano and Barnaby Beer, baritone, accompanied on the piano by Mark Austin, Opera South’s music director.

Opera South spokesman Carolann Martys said: “A gourmet dinner and wine followed.

The evening rounded off with a raffle – each table guaranteed a prize, and an auction which included an oil painting by renowned local painter, Roger Dellar, capturing the ambiance of the occasion and also the opportunity to bid for an exclusive operatic performance by a professional young opera singer accompanied by Opera South’s Music Director. A wonderful start to Opera South’s 33rd year!”

The next Opera South concert will be Fresh and Intimate Baroque with Margo Arsane, soprano and Mark Austin, harpsicord, at St Christopher’s Church, on Saturday, May 13, as part of this year’s Haslemere Festival.

It will be followed by I Dreamt Awhile - Visions of Romanticism, at Champs Hill, Pulborough on Friday, June 23. For more information on the concerts call Sarah Barnes on 01428 643129, or email saba@ haslemere.com

Among the guests was one of Opera South’s veterans, Bertie Mawer, who celebrated his 91st birthday on January 15.

Mr Mawer sung tenor in the chorus and was also an active member of the operations committee up until his retirement.

He has been a member for 43 years both under the group’s present name and its former guises, among them Opera Camerata, of which he was a founder member.

Bertie attended the group’s yew year concert and dinner with his wife Rosemary, a GP who working in Witley for many years.

Mr Mawer also has a long association with King Edward’s School, Witley.

He started as a young schoolmaster teaching English in 1949 and eventually retired in 1986.

During his time he was a housemaster and senior master, and was particularly involved with the musical life of the school, producing musical plays, operas and operettas.

King Edward’s headmaster John Attwater paid tribute to Mr Mawer, saying: “After his retirement his association with the school has continued, most notably perhaps when he used his contacts in the music and opera world to organise, with his wife Rosemary, a series of Viennese-themed concerts featuring world class musicians to fundraise for the school and its charity, the Bridewell Foundation.

“Bertie and Rosemary’s efforts raised thousands of pounds.

“They are also both Bridewell Fellows, a title bestowed on the school’s most generous donors, in a private capacity.

“To celebrate the school’s 450th anniversary in 2003, Bertie wrote a comprehensive history of the school since our foundation in the City of London in 1553, and remains an unrivalled source of memories and institutional knowledge about all things King Edward’s.

“Bertie and Rosemary remain much loved and respected members of the extended King Edward’s Witley community.”