Waterperry Opera Festival has celebrated its most successful season to date, welcoming a record-breaking 7,700 audience members across its 2025 programme, which included performances at Waterperry, Lichfield Festival, and Opera Holland Park.
At Waterperry alone, more than 5,000 people attended, with around a quarter of the audience under 35, reflecting the Festival’s growing appeal to younger generations. Don Giovanni became the highest-selling Main Stage production in the Festival’s history, while Semele sold out during its run.
Across the 11-day programme, the Festival staged 22 performances and six participatory events, attracting visitors from across the UK to its unique outdoor setting. Remarkably, 54 per cent of attendees were first-time visitors to Waterperry, underlining the Festival’s role in engaging new audiences with opera.
This season also marked a milestone for Waterperry’s Young Artist Programme, with alumni Jamie Woollard and Simon Mascarenhas-Carter returning to perform principal roles in Don Giovanni. Their success highlights the Festival’s long-standing commitment to nurturing emerging operatic talent.
Bertie Baigent, Co-Founder and Music Director, said:
“Eight years since launching Waterperry, we have clearly found our stride as an organisation. Our mission to widen participation in the opera world has carried us this far, and by doubling down on our recipe for success, we will continue mesmerising audiences across the country through quality opera.”
Rebecca Meltzer, Co-Founder and Director of Semele, added:
“While it was gratifying to sell out multiple performances, the real reward was seeing our Young Artist alumni excel on the main stage. Supporting the next generation of world-class opera talent is at the heart of what we do, and we are thrilled to see those ambitions being realised.”
Behind the scenes, over 100 artists, creatives, and crew members were employed, providing vital opportunities across all areas of production.
Looking ahead, the Festival will announce its 2026 programme this autumn, with newly appointed Artistic Director and CEO John Savournin set to lead the next chapter of Waterperry’s growth.
With a continued focus on expanding access and nurturing talent, Waterperry Opera Festival is poised to build on this record-breaking year and further establish itself as one of the UK’s most exciting summer opera destinations.
