Waterperry Opera Festival News & Stories
Browse news and stories about Waterperry Opera Festival – the enchanting open-air performances, innovative productions, and unforgettable musical experiences at Waterperry Gardens.
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Waterperry Opera Festival opens general booking for 2026 season
General booking for 2026 Waterperry Opera Festival will open on Tuesday, 31 March, with Puccini, Donizetti, family productions, recitals and open-air performances across an expanded August programme.
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Waterperry Opera announces 2026 mainstage productions and creative teams
Waterperry Opera Festival’s 2026 season will feature new English-language productions of Puccini’s La Bohème and Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love, led by acclaimed creative teams and rising opera stars. Full programme details will be announced in January.
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Waterperry Opera Festival unveils La Bohème and The Elixir of Love for 2026
Waterperry Opera Festival will headline La Bohème and The Elixir of Love at its 2026 festival. Performed in English and led by acclaimed creative teams, the productions continue the festival’s mission to deliver imaginative, accessible opera in Waterperry’s iconic gardens.
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Waterperry Opera Festival announces Winter Festival at Holywell Music Room
Waterperry Opera Festival’s Winter Festival 2025 comes to Oxford’s Holywell Music Room from 12 to 14 December, featuring Messiah, The Nutcracker family concerts, and jazz with The Easy Rollers. A magical seasonal celebration led by new Artistic Director John Savournin.
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Waterperry Opera Festival celebrates record-breaking season ahead of 2026 launch
Waterperry Opera Festival welcomed a record 7,700 audience members in 2025, with Don Giovanni and Semele setting new milestones. With over half of visitors new to Waterperry, the Festival looks ahead to announcing its 2026 programme this autumn.
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Mozart’s Don Giovanni opens at Waterperry Opera Festival 2025
Mozart’s Don Giovanni opened tonight at Waterperry Opera Festival, featuring Edmund Danon in the title role. This classic opera weaves passion, deception, and dark comedy as the infamous libertine faces the consequences of his actions.
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Semele set the stage at Waterperry Opera Festival 2025
Waterperry Opera Festival 2025 opened on Friday 08 August with a sold-out production of Handel’s Semele. Hilary Cronin’s captivating performance brought the myth to life against the festival’s stunning garden backdrop.
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Waterperry Opera Festival 2025 trailers reveal musical excellence and star performers
Rehearsals are in full swing and this season promises passion, drama, and musical excellence, with highlights including “Last Night at the Opera” and emotionally charged works like A World Turned Upside Down by Juliana Hall.
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John Savournin appointed as CEO and Artistic Director at Waterperry Opera Festival
Waterperry Opera Festival has appointed John Savournin as its new CEO and Artistic Director, effective 01 September 2025. A celebrated opera director and bass-baritone, Savournin brings extensive experience to lead the festival into its next phase of growth and outreach.
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Waterperry Opera Festival opens 2025 booking
Waterperry Opera Festival has announced that general booking for its 2025 season opens at 9.00am on 08 April. Highlights include performances of Don Giovanni, Semele, and Winnie-the-Pooh’s Songbook, alongside free community events.










