Waterperry Opera Festival 2026
07 August to 16 August
About Waterperry Opera Festival 2026
Experience the magic of opera this summer at the Waterperry Opera Festival, returning in 2026 with a stunning programme of performances set against the idyllic backdrop of Waterperry Gardens.
Running from 07 to 16 August, the festival brings together world-class opera singers, orchestras, and creative talent for a series of full-scale productions, intimate recitals, and open-air performances.
Highlights include productions of beloved operas alongside contemporary works, offering both seasoned opera-goers and newcomers an immersive experience of music, theatre, and storytelling.
The festival also features pre-performance talks, garden tours, and family-friendly activities, making it an all-encompassing summer celebration.
The festival’s inclusive and accessible opera is open to all and for all ages. It’s the perfect opportunity to fall in love with this splendid art form. Keep scrolling to learn more about all the exciting productions below.
Watch 2025 Festival highlights
What’s on this year
La bohème
Opera by Giacomo Puccini
8, 9, 12, 14 & 15 August 2026
Puccini’s La bohème unfolds in a dreamlike Waterperry of the late-1930s – the decaying estate a bastion of bohemian artistry amidst fast-evolving world events. Expect soaring music, laughter, and heartbreak in an unforgettable night of opera beneath the stars.
The Elixir of Love
Opera by Gaetano Donizetti
7, 11 & 13 August 2026
Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love bursts to life at a village fair, where a fast‑talking elixir seller, a self‑styled charmer, and two stubborn hearts set off romance, rivalry, and irresistible community spirit under lanterns and bunting.
Peter Rabbit’s Musical Adventures
Music by Joseph Haydn
8, 9 & 15 August 2026
Join Peter Rabbit on a garden adventure, guided by a magical storyteller, in this charming retelling of Beatrix Potter’s beloved tale, brought to life with Haydn’s string quartets. A perfect introduction to classical music for children – and fun for all ages!
Living Light: Visions of an Abbess
Music by Hildegard von Bingen
11, 12, 14 & 15 August 2026
Staged in the intimate church at Waterperry, this immersive performance weaves Hildegard von Bingen’s music and words, inviting audiences into a luminous world of sound, spirituality, and visionary imagination.
Music in the Ballroom
8, 9, 13 & 16 August 2026
This intimate ballroom concert series shines a light on the richness of the human voice. Across four events, different voice types take centre stage, revealing how character, emotion, and storytelling live within the music.
The series closes with a special guest recital from world class baritone
Roderick Williams OBE.
Serenades
8, 9 & 15 August 2026
Unwind in the Garden Glade at Waterperry Opera Festival for a relaxed afternoon of music, where Dvořák’s glowing serenades meet sparkling extracts from The Marriage of Figaro – a joyful blend of lyric warmth and operatic wit.
Last Night at the Opera
17 August 2026
Bring the 2026 Waterperry Opera Festival to a stunning close with Last Night at the Opera – an unforgettable evening of opera’s greatest hits, featuring four sensational soloists, our festival orchestra, and conductor Bertie Baigent on the mainstage.
Tickets
Tickets will be on sale from 31 March 2026.
Please see important booking information below.
Booking information
The link above will take you to a page with booking links for all seven productions and a host of other events and hospitality add-ons – dining, picnic hampers, wine, etc.
Each show has multiple performances, so be sure to click on each to view every option on the ticketing site.
If you need assistance booking your festival tickets, please email the Waterperry Opera Festival team at boxoffice@waterperryoperafestival.co.uk.
If you’d like to speak to the festival organisers, please leave a message on their box office phone line at 07880 253556, and they’ll return your call as soon as possible.
Please note that the box office phone and inboxes are monitored semi-regularly, and you may not get a reply immediately.