Diary

Our second concert of our 2021/22 season takes place almost forty-one years to the day since our first ever concert performance: Saturday 5 March 2022 at 5:00pm. It is fitting that the work we perform is the same as that first concert – Henry Purcell’s King Arthur. It would have happened forty years to the day, but sadly Covid-19 got in the way! Setting words by John Dryden, who grew us just a few miles North-east of Wellingborough in Titchmarsh, Purcell’s epic tale tells the story of Arthur, king of the Britons and Oswald, Saxon king of Kent. They are rivals for the hand of Emmeline, the blind daughter of the Duke of Cornwall. Already ten bloody battles have been fought and the Saxons have been driven back. The decisive conflict is about to be launched when Emmeline and her attendant Matilda are captured by Oswald. Arthur, having resisted the temptations of two sirens, captures the spirit Grimbald and breaks the enchantments that are set against him. In the last act the opposing armies fight: Arthur meets Oswald in hand-to-hand conflict and, disarming him, offers him his freedom. Emmeline (whose sight has been restored) and Arthur are united. Merlin banishes the winds and Britain’s island rises from the sea.

It is an epic story, and highlights include the frost scene, the music of which featured in the TV series The Crown, and the song Fairest Isle, all isles excelling, a pæan of praise for this sceptred isle, so fitting for this Platinum Jubilee year of Her Majesty the Queen.

We are delighted to be joined by the period instrument orchestra Charivari Agréable, and their vivacious director Dr Kah-Ming Ng, for this performance.

Featuring the Kingston Grammar School Choral Society Community Choir. This adult choir consists of singers from the local community, the Tiffin Oratorio Choir, current and former KGS parents, KGS staff & KGS friends. The main aim of the Choir is to share a love of choral music and to perform great choral works. The repertoire this year is Handel’s O praise the Lord with one consent, My song shall be alway, O sing unto the Lord a new song and Vivaldi’s Gloria.

Oliver Tarney St Mark Passion**
Winchester College Glee Club and Orchestra
Winchester College Quiristers and Chapel Choir
SANSARA
Jonathan Brown Jesus
Helen Charlston Bleeding Woman
Benjamin Durrant Judas
Katy Thomson Maid
Jimmy Holliday *Barabbas***

Hugo Herman-Wilson Pilate
Benjamin Cunningham Director

St John Passion, Hampstead Parish Church

A powerful man with a dark side that few can resist, Don Giovanni casts his seductive spell over all those he meets. But as his conquests pile up, ghosts from his past come knocking at his door, threatening to bring him down. Who will have the final word?

NHO will be joined by the brand new Shadwell:Ensemble for Don Giovanni.

In order to ensure the most enjoyable and safest possible experience for our artists and audiences, our opera festival this summer will take place outside. Read more about what to expect.

Mozart’s Don Giovanni

19, 21, 22, 24, 25 August 2021

A powerful man with a dark side that few can resist, Don Giovanni casts his seductive spell over all those he meets. But as his conquests pile up, ghosts from his past come knocking at his door, threatening to bring him down. Who will have the final word?

NHO will be joined by the brand new Shadwell:Ensemble for Don Giovanni.

In order to ensure the most enjoyable and safest possible experience for our artists and audiences, our opera festival this summer will take place outside. Read more about what to expect.

Mozart’s Don Giovanni

19, 21, 22, 24, 25 August 2021

A powerful man with a dark side that few can resist, Don Giovanni casts his seductive spell over all those he meets. But as his conquests pile up, ghosts from his past come knocking at his door, threatening to bring him down. Who will have the final word?

NHO will be joined by the brand new Shadwell:Ensemble for Don Giovanni.

In order to ensure the most enjoyable and safest possible experience for our artists and audiences, our opera festival this summer will take place outside. Read more about what to expect.

Mozart’s Don Giovanni

19, 21, 22, 24, 25 August 2021

A powerful man with a dark side that few can resist, Don Giovanni casts his seductive spell over all those he meets. But as his conquests pile up, ghosts from his past come knocking at his door, threatening to bring him down. Who will have the final word?

NHO will be joined by the brand new Shadwell:Ensemble for Don Giovanni.

In order to ensure the most enjoyable and safest possible experience for our artists and audiences, our opera festival this summer will take place outside. Read more about what to expect.

Mozart’s Don Giovanni

19, 21, 22, 24, 25 August 2021

A powerful man with a dark side that few can resist, Don Giovanni casts his seductive spell over all those he meets. But as his conquests pile up, ghosts from his past come knocking at his door, threatening to bring him down. Who will have the final word?

NHO will be joined by the brand new Shadwell:Ensemble for Don Giovanni.

In order to ensure the most enjoyable and safest possible experience for our artists and audiences, our opera festival this summer will take place outside. Read more about what to expect.

Verdi’s La traviata

4, 5, 7, 8, 10 August 2021

A passionate love story in a timeless setting. At the centre of it all stands the beautiful Violetta, the courtesan who finds true love in Alfredo Germont. Will they be forced to sacrifice their happiness to the hypocrisy of high society?

NHO is joined for La traviata by Manchester Camerata (“probably Britain’s most adventurous orchestra” – The Times).

In order to ensure the most enjoyable and safest possible experience for our artists and audiences, our opera festival this summer will take place outside. Read more about what to expect.

Verdi’s La traviata

4, 5, 7, 8, 10 August 2021

A passionate love story in a timeless setting. At the centre of it all stands the beautiful Violetta, the courtesan who finds true love in Alfredo Germont. Will they be forced to sacrifice their happiness to the hypocrisy of high society?

NHO is joined for La traviata by Manchester Camerata (“probably Britain’s most adventurous orchestra” – The Times).

In order to ensure the most enjoyable and safest possible experience for our artists and audiences, our opera festival this summer will take place outside. Read more about what to expect.

Verdi’s La traviata

4, 5, 7, 8, 10 August 2021

A passionate love story in a timeless setting. At the centre of it all stands the beautiful Violetta, the courtesan who finds true love in Alfredo Germont. Will they be forced to sacrifice their happiness to the hypocrisy of high society?

NHO is joined for La traviata by Manchester Camerata (“probably Britain’s most adventurous orchestra” – The Times).

In order to ensure the most enjoyable and safest possible experience for our artists and audiences, our opera festival this summer will take place outside. Read more about what to expect.

Verdi’s La traviata

4, 5, 7, 8, 10 August 2021

A passionate love story in a timeless setting. At the centre of it all stands the beautiful Violetta, the courtesan who finds true love in Alfredo Germont. Will they be forced to sacrifice their happiness to the hypocrisy of high society?

NHO is joined for La traviata by Manchester Camerata (“probably Britain’s most adventurous orchestra” – The Times).

In order to ensure the most enjoyable and safest possible experience for our artists and audiences, our opera festival this summer will take place outside. Read more about what to expect.

Verdi’s La traviata

4, 5, 7, 8, 10 August 2021

A passionate love story in a timeless setting. At the centre of it all stands the beautiful Violetta, the courtesan who finds true love in Alfredo Germont. Will they be forced to sacrifice their happiness to the hypocrisy of high society?

NHO is joined for La traviata by Manchester Camerata (“probably Britain’s most adventurous orchestra” – The Times).

In order to ensure the most enjoyable and safest possible experience for our artists and audiences, our opera festival this summer will take place outside. Read more about what to expect.

Brundibár: A Children’s Opera

Brother and sister Aninku and Pepíček are on a quest to raise money to help their sick mother, but an evil musician Brundibár stands in their way…

With the help of a fearless sparrow, keen cat, and wise dog, they must defeat him with the power of music to set the village free!

A magical musical adventure full of friendship, hope and community spirit, Brundibár is an opera for all the family.

Also included with this event is a free Family Opera Workshop that takes place before the opera begins. Learn to sing the Children’s March to help save the day!

Brundibár only tickets available here

All Day tickets available here

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Boco Arts Cinema

Featuring Boco Art’s projects ‘Dancing in Reflection’, School Opera Workshops and more (more details to be announced)

FREE entry with any ticket for Song in the Valley Events

The Gala

A whirlwind tour of hit songs from opera and musical theatre, Ashley Beauchamp leads our stellar cast of singers in favourite arias, duos, and musical hits with something for everyone.

Gala only tickets available here

All Day tickets available here

Friday 25th June, 7pm: A Night at the Opera: Stars of our 2021 season perform some of opera’s most celebrated music.

Words Move, Music Moves

3PM—8PM—9.15PM

CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL, OXFORD

3PM—LIGHT AND MATTER

Chamber works by Clara Schumann and Kaija Saariaho.

8PM—A SOIREE OF MUSIC AND POETRY

A soiree of music and poetry, including songs by Robert Schumann, Jorg Widmann and Alban Berg.

9.15PM—QUARTET FOR THE END OF TIME

Olivier Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time, and the world premiere of Sebastian Black’s I Heard Nothing But The Roaring Sea.

Artists to include:

Sebastian Black

Andrew Dickinson

Eliza Millett

Dave Shaw

Hugo Herman Wilson

Emily Earl

Luke English

TICKETS

Tickets may be purchased for each event seperately, but we also have a day pass (providing entry to all events) and an evening pass (providing entry to the 8pm & 9.30pm events only).

COVID-19 NOTICE

Events will be socially distanced in compliance with government advice. A maximum of six tickets may be purchased per household, and audience members must sit with their bubbles. Masks should be worn when indoors. Performers will be socially distanced and will have produced negative COVID test results. Stay safe!

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