Sometimes it's worth spending the extra for something special

This season my largest expenditure, which I do not regret, was for the opening performance of Don Carlos, the full five acts, at ROH. Marvellously sung and with spectacular sets, it was pure magic. I will be returning for Tom Ades Powder Her Face in the Linbury later on this year.

The Aldeburgh Festival supports some excellent new work

I have a fondness for the Aldeburgh Festival, and have often sponsored them. This year Pickett will be supporting a new piece by Yannis Kyriakides called An Ocean of Rain. I was in the Oyster Bar at Snape whilst their rehearsal was being transmitted around the building - quite beautiful.

Britten in bloom: Benjamin Britten is always a good choice

My first taste of the ‘Picnic Opera Season' was in 1981 where I saw Maria Ewing and John Rawnsley at Glyndebourne in The Barber of Seville. I try and visit at least once in the season, and my heart always lifts when I see a Britten opera on the programming. I shall be sorry to miss Peter Hall's excellent production of Albert Herring, but instead I'll go to L'incoronazione di Poppea.

Don't just go for the big boys...

My new mistress in the picnic season is Grange Park. The founder, Wasfi Kani, is amusing and appeals to my sense of mischief: for me she is now the main attraction. She has built a new house in the pastoral idyll: a cross between new and old Glyndebourne. With only three productions over a 28 day season, it is a must to see all of them. Wasfi always has a diversity and balance across the productions, and her support of emerging young talent makes it all worthwhile. So Rusalka, Blue Beard, and La Fanciulla del West here we come!

Picture-perfect picnics

I am defiantly a picnic man. I love the ritual of rugs - not chairs - and preparing the picnic, though I am not part of the flower arrangement or candelabra brigade. I prefer to start with pre-prandial cocktails, followed by four courses over the intervals, with coffee brandy and chocs at the end, while we dissect the performance.

Pickett, purveyors of luxury goods has just launched a bespoke leather service, where anything can be made to order.

Pickett 32-33 Burlington Arcade
London, W1J 0PZ

02074939072.
www.pickett.co.uk