Christmas with Opera Holland Park, online

It may be based in one of the leafiest parts of London, but Opera Holland Park never lets the grass grow under its feet.

With many resourceful events in a changed 2020, tireless work within the community and a new 2021 season in the pipeline, OHP unwinds with a Christmas entertainment for all.

BBC's Petroc Trelawny presents Christmas with Opera Holland Park, a new film featuring the company’s principals and chorus at work indoors and out. They perform both in the flamboyant interior of Leighton House, Kensington, and outside Holland House in the heart of Holland Park, on the site of the summer opera house that continually amazes audiences with its new productions and high-calibre artists.

Author Kathy Lette and Poirot's Inspector Japp, actor Philip Jackson read seasonal verse and prose, and mix a snug festive cocktail with OHP chief executive and director of opera, James Clutton. Meanwhile outdoors the indefatigable Opera Holland Park Chorus sings a selection of traditional carols.

Kathy Lette dons her Christmas jumper for an evening with Opera Holland Park

Soloists include baritone Ross Ramgobin, impressive in Grange Park's wonderful Owen Wingrave and soprano Elizabeth Karani. They will play Figaro and Susanna in OHP’s upcoming 2021 production of The Marriage of Figaro. Also on the bill are baritone Julien Van Mellaerts, mezzo-soprano Hannah Pedley and tenor Robert Murray.

The pianist in Leighton House is Stuart Wild, and the chorus master in Holland Park is Richard Harker. Christmas with Opera Holland Park was filmed and edited by Simon Wall.

The film will be free to view, with a request for donations of warm clothing and other essentials for Refettorio Felix, a charity based at St Cuthbert's church, with which OHP works closely throughout the year.

---

Christmas with Opera Holland Park is on OHP's YouTube and Facebook channels from Thursday 17 December at 7PM. when OHP will be hosting an #OHPChristmas watch party on social media