Gascoignes prepare for the operatic challenge

Grange Park Opera has renamed its pit ensemble The Gascoigne Orchestra. A fine idea, is our initial reaction, if slightly unorthodox – much as we enjoyed the antics of England’s talismanic midfielder back in the 1990s, we can’t quite see Gazza’s link to country house opera. But then we twig – it’s not Paul they’re talking about here.

What was formerly the Garsington Opera Orchestra owes its new title, in fact, to Bamber and Christina Gascoigne, the owners of Grange Park Opera’s West Horsley Place home and tireless supporters of the company. So, as former University Challenge presenter Bamber might say: fingers on the strings, please; here’s your overture for ten…