Dorset Opera

Providing an opportunity for young people to experience the demands and joys of participating in the choral or technical theatre aspects of opera production, through a residential summer school, alongside highly experienced professional soloist/tutors, production staff and orchestra, culminating typically in six public opera performances and a gala concert.

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Activities & Mission

Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Local Authority

Dorset

Financial Information

Latest Income

£884,229

Latest Expenditure

£821,714

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 92.1%

% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 57% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M (sample: 962). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 99.1%

% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 58% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 1.2%

Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 63% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £320,345

Charitable Activities £387,869

Other Trading £5,201

Investments £7,093

Other Income £163,721

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £814,567

Raising Funds £7,147

Governance £2,310

Grants to Institutions £0

Other Expenditure £0

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.

Financial Year	Income	Expenditure	Charitable Spending	Net Assets	Reserves	Staff
2025	£884,229	£821,714	£814,567	£302,571	£299,915	0 / 61
2024	£822,316	£837,246	£830,499	£240,056	£227,287	0 / 89
2023	£653,771	£663,952	£659,863	£254,986	£242,217	0 / 60
2022	£651,967	£621,617	£611,383	£265,167	£121,209	0 / 56
2021	£436,603	£466,664				0 / 48

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about Dorset Opera

What does Dorset Opera do?

How much income did Dorset Opera report in 2025?

Dorset Opera reported total income of £884k and reported expenditure of £822k for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is Dorset Opera?

Dorset Opera has a program ratio of 92.1%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 57% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M (sample of 962 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was Dorset Opera registered as a charity?

Dorset Opera was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 5 August 2004 as charity number 1105318. It has been registered for 22 years.

Who runs Dorset Opera?

Dorset Opera is governed by a board of 9 trustees. The chair of trustees is GARRY PETER BATT. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does Dorset Opera operate?

Dorset Opera operates in Dorset, as recorded in its Charity Commission filing.

Is Dorset Opera a registered charity?

Yes — Dorset Opera is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1105318.