UK Opera

All opera reviews from UK sources

An unforgettable The Turn of the Screw closes the Cumbria Opera Festival

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Britten, The Turn of the Screw: Soloists, Jessica Meakin, Julian Cann (violins), Kim Becker (viola), Daniel Crompton (cello), Richard English (double bass), Richard Allen (harp), Hannah Gillingham (flute/alto flute/piccolo), Mana Shibata (oboe/cor anglais), William Hammond (clarinet/bass clarinet), Ursula Leveaux (bassoon), Chris Howlings (French horn), Alex Norton (piano/celesta), Stephen Burke (percussion) / Joe Davies (conductor). Victoria Hall, Grange-over-Sands, 30.8.2025. (CK)

Kirsty McLean (The Governess)

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A sparkling The Marriage of Figaro from the Cumbria Opera Festival 2025

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Cumbria Opera Festival 2025 [1] – Mozart, The Marriage of Figaro: Soloists, Chorus; Jessica Meakin, Julian Cann (violins), Hannah Borlase (viola), Daniel Crompton (cello), Hannah Gillingham (flute), Sarah Davies (oboe), William Hammond (clarinet), Ursula Leveaux (bassoon), Alistair Burton (harpsichord continuo) / Melvin Tay (conductor). Penrith Methodist Church, 23.8.2025. (CK)

The Marriage of Figaro at the Cumbria Opera Festival 2025 © Chris Tribble

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In Bayreuth, Semyon Bychkov explores the primordial depths of the Tristan und Isolde score

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GermanyGermany Bayreuth Festival 2025 [3] – Wagner, Tristan und Isolde: Soloists, Bayreuth Festival Chorus and Orchestra / Semyon Bychkov (conductor). Bayreuther Festspielhaus, 10.8.2025. (DM-D)

Tristan und Isolde Act I: [l-r] Ekaterina Gubanova (Brangäne), Andreas Schager (Tristan), Jordan Shanahan (Kurwenal),  Camilla Nylund (Isolde) and Günther Groissböck (King Marke) © Bayreuther Festspiele/Enrico Nawrath

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After 300 years: Innsbruck sees a musically brilliant return to the stage of Caldara’s Ifigenia in Aulide

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AustriaAustria Innsbruck Festival for Early Music – Antonio Caldara, Ifigenia in Aulide: Soloists, Accademia Bizantina / Ottavio Dantone (conductor), Tiroler Landestheater, 10.8.2025. (AB)

Ifigenia in Aulide at the Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Music © Birgit Gufler

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Churning is a fresh look for Patience in Buxton

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival 2025 [3] – Peak Opera, Patience: Soloists and Chorus, with Orchestra of the National Gilbert & Sullivan Festival / Dave Anstice-Pim (conductor). Buxton Opera House, Derbyshire, 7.8.2025. (RW)

Patience: ‘I know that I am loved by you’ © Charles Smith

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Charles Court Opera’s magnificent Mikado is a sell-out in Buxton

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival 2025 [2] – Charles Court Opera, The Mikado: Soloists and Orchestra of the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company / David Eaton (conductor). Buxton Opera House, Derbyshire, 8.8.2025. (RW)

Charles Court Opera’s The Mikado © Charles Smith

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Gilbert’s witticisms at their best: Princess Ida at Buxton is a G&S delight

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival 2025 [1] – National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, Princess Ida: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company / John Andrews (conductor). Buxton Opera House, Derbyshire, 9.8.2025. (RW)

National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company’s Princess Ida © Charles Smith

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