Introducing the Opera Holland Park 2024 Season in full, including the return of The Royal Ballet School and Waterperry Opera
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Opera Holland Park’s 2024 Season opens to press and public on 28 May with a revival of Stephen Barlow’s sharp and seductive 2008 production of Tosca, new productions of The Barber of Seville (sponsored by Viking) and Acis and Galatea, three semi-staged performances of Puccini’s early romance, Edgar, a sensational double bill contrasting John Wilkie’s stylish 2019 staging of Wolf-Ferrari’s honeymoon comedy Il segreto di Susanna with Martin Lloyd-Evans’s new production of Leoncavallo’s true crime tragedy, Pagliacci, and a co-production with Charles Court Opera of The Yeomen of the Guard. The City of London Sinfonia returns for its twentieth year as resident orchestra. The Barber of Seville will also be performed by the 2024 cohort of Opera Holland Park Young Artists on 14 and 16 June.
The performances of Tosca and Edgar follow February’s performance of the Messa da Gloria by Opera Holland Park and City of London Sinfonia in marking the centenary of Puccini’s death, and continue the company’s tradition of exploring the composer’s least well-known works, most recently in the 2022 production of Le Villi, alongside those of enduring popularity.
Casting highlights include the return of soprano Amanda Echalaz as Tosca in the production that launched her international career, and tenor David Butt Philip’s highly anticipated role debut as Canio in Pagliacci, conducted by Francesco Cilluffo. José de Eca, Morgan Pearse, Paul Grant and Chiuma Sijeqa make their company debuts, while alumni of the Opera Holland Park Young Artists scheme to return in senior roles range from those in the earliest intake (conductor Matthew Kofi Waldren, 2012) to those in the most recent cohort (conductor Charlotte Corderoy, 2023). Company favourites also feature throughout the season, including Anne Sophie Duprels and Alison Langer, while the 2024 cohort of Young Artists will give two public performances and one Schools Matinee performance of The Barber of Sevile (sung in Italian), in addition to performing as part of the Opera in Song series. For detailed casting visit the OHP website.
Curated by baritone Julien Van Mellaerts and pianist Dylan Perez, the Opera in Song recital series returns from 20 June to 21 July, with three recitals from established and emerging singers and pianists, a public masterclass with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, and a concert in celebration of Dame Kiri’s 80th birthday with performances by artists who have been supported by the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation since its creation in 2004. Featured artists in the series include Benjamin Appl, Helen Charlston and Nicky Spence.
Songs on the Steps, a series of free lunchtime recitals for picnickers and passers by, returns for a third season. Featuring artists from the company, the fortnightly concerts will be held on Fridays at 1pm, from 10 May.
The Royal Ballet School also returns to Opera Holland Park in June. Featuring dancers ranging in age from 11 to 19, this is a rare opportunity to glimpse the rising ballet stars of the future. Beginning with excerpts from Petipa’s Paquita, the programme will also include two works by Frederick Ashton, the charming pas de quatre from Swan Lake and the decadent La Valse. The School will also present Concerto Grosso by Helgi Tómasson and Didy Veldman’s playful TooT. There will be Jerome Robbins’s satirical Mistake Waltz and new works by Gemma Bond and Ashley Page. Following a triumph in last year’s performances, Tom Bosma returns to coach White Lodge students in a spectacular folk display.
Waterperry Opera Festival returns for an enchanting family adventure, Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, after sell-out performances in 2021 and 2022. This production will introduce children to classical music and instruments through vibrant storytelling, dance, and spoken word. This interactive show lasts 30 minutes and is ideal for little ones aged 0+. Performances will take place on Sunday 21 July.