London opera 2017: romance, tragedy – and world-class singing

Great works by Handel, Puccini and Wagner are joined by two exciting new must-sees

Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Royal Opera House

Just as some of the best films are about showbusiness, so some of the best operas are about music-making itself. And towering above them all is Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Wagner’s masterpiece about master singers, which features the ultimate singing contest.


Read more ...
WHEN
11 Mar 2017 – 31 Mar 2017, times vary; 7 performances, running time 5hr 30min
WHERE
Royal Opera House
Bow Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD

The Winter's Tale, English National Opera

Shakespeare's bittersweet fable The Winter's Tale is staged for the first time as an opera, with the multitalented actor, playwright and musician Rory Kinnear making his debut as an opera director

Read more ...
WHEN
27 Feb 2017 – 14 Mar 2017, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
WHERE
English National Opera
London Coliseum, St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4ES

The Exterminating Angel, Royal Opera House

Thomas Adès is one of the most innovative and exciting contemporary composers, and all eyes will be on the British premiere of his new opera, The Exterminating Angel, inspired by surrealist Luis Buñuel's 1962 film El Angel Exterminador

Read more ...
WHEN
24 Apr 2017 – 08 May 2017, six performances; 7pm start 6 May
WHERE
Royal Opera House
Bow Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD

Partenope, English National Opera

We're off to the heady, glamorous Paris of the 1920s for a production of Handel's comic opera Partenope, making a welcome return to the English National Opera at the Coliseum.

Read more ...
WHEN
15 Mar 2017 – 24 Mar 2017, 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM
WHERE
English National Opera
London Coliseum, St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4ES

La Rondine, Opera Holland Park

Like the swallow of the title, Puccini’s heroine Magda is a free spirit, wheeling unfettered through society. This new production of the opera, 100 years after its premiere, is set in fashionable Paris and on the riviera

Read more ...
WHEN
01 Jun 2017 – 23 Jun 2017, eight performances
WHERE
Opera Holland Park
Stable Yard, Holland Park, London , W8 6LU
TRY CULTURE WHISPER
Receive free tickets & insider tips to unlock the best of London — direct to your inbox