The Teddington Society have teamed up with an award-winning French opera conductor to host two charity opera evenings.

The society is collaborating with Sonia Ben-Santamaria, founder of Glass Ceiling Orchestra and the first female conductor to be associated with the Royal Opera House young artists programme.

The first concert is titled Carmen, Carmen Carmen. It will be held at the Normansfield Theatre, Teddington on September 15.

The concert will be a performance of Georges Bizet’s Carmen. The Glass Ceiling Orchestra will be leading the concert, conducted by Sonia and led by Eugene Lee, of the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Glass Ceiling Orchestra aims to break through invisible barriers, platforming diverse voices. This will be their inaugural performance.

The charity which is being supported this evening is Dress for Success, which is a worldwide women’s charity which provides professional attire, interview coaching and other assistance to help disadvantaged women succeed and achieve economic independence.

The second concert, which will also be held in the Normansfield Theatre, is titled An Evening of Opera Classics. It will be held on November 1.

Backed by a small team of six, Sonia will be conducting the evening of opera classics. Newland House School, Waldegrave Park, Twickenham will be providing a children’s chorus.

This concert will raise funds for the Princess Alice Hospice, with a donation also going to the Down’s Syndrome Association.

The Hospice cares for patients and families through illness and bereavement and provides free, high-quality specialist end of life care.

The venue stands at the old Normansfield Hospital complex where Professor Down discovered Down’s Syndrome. It is now the headquarters of the Down’s Syndrome Association.

Diana Gillespie, a member of the society and one of the organisers for the concert said: "We are extremely excited to present these two evenings. They are for some great causes and it is great to have Sonia on board. We hope to host similar evenings in the future."

There will be incredible talent on show for both concerts. Carmen, Carmen, Carmen will include Susana Gaspar. Josephine Thorpe and Bechara Moufarrej. 

An Evening of Opera Classics will include singers such as Alexander Jeffries, Latana Phoung, and Dafydd alan. 

The aim of the Teddington Society is to preserve and enhance the quality of life for everyone living and working in Teddington.

Limited tickets are available for Carmen, Carmen, Carmen. They start from £22 and can be purchased on here: https://langdondowncentre.org.uk/event/carmen-3/