Opera Nominations 2025
Opera North - WINNER
Simon Boccanegra
Directed by PJ Harris and with Antony Hermus conducting an exceptional cast, the production delivered extraordinary vocal and orchestral standards.
This staging was the latest in Opera North’s acclaimed series of dramatic concert productions, which place the orchestra and chorus centre-stage. Through inventive use of space, the production offered a truly immersive experience, with the Chorus of Opera North taking to the balconies and lining the stalls to deliver the celebrated Council Chamber scene in thrilling ‘surround sound’.
Opening in Bradford as part of 2025’s UK City of Culture celebrations, the production went on to tour Nottingham, Gateshead, Liverpool and Hull, captivating audiences across the North of England before completing its run in London.
Its central themes of peace and unity resonated powerfully with contemporary audiences, making 19th-century opera feel urgently relevant. This production exemplifies artistic excellence and bold innovation in opera.
Garsington Opera
Body of Work
Garsington Opera delivers world-class performances in the stunning setting of the Chiltern Hills, combining artistic excellence with a welcoming, immersive festival experience.
Presenting four main-stage operas and a community production each summer, the company works with top-tier orchestras including the Philharmonia and The English Concert. Their chorus, drawn from emerging artists, benefits from exceptional musical and professional development through Garsington’s dedicated Emerging Artists programme.
Beyond the stage, Garsington demonstrates cultural leadership through GO Participate, a year-round community engagement initiative reaching schools, youth, and adult groups both locally and internationally. This inclusive approach fosters participation and creativity, with participants performing alongside professionals in the festival. The new Garsington Studios expands this impact, enabling training placements and future Production Arts Traineeships.
With innovation and inclusivity at its core, Garsington Opera is redefining opera’s role in modern cultural life.
Sound Voice
The Sound Voice Project
The Sound Voice Project is an innovative digital opera installation exploring voice loss and identity. Blending personal documentary, graphic design, digital projection, and performance film, the work invites audiences to reflect on the intrinsic value of the human voice and its profound impact on identity and self-perception.
The installation is the result of a ground-breaking collaboration between people with lived experience of voice loss, composer Hannah Conway, librettist Hazel Gould, and professionals across biomedical research, technology, and healthcare. Video design by Luke Halls and sound design by David Sheppard further enhance the immersive experience. The project has acted as a catalyst for innovation, sparking new thinking and cross-sector dialogue.
A radically different kind of operatic experience, The Sound Voice Project exemplifies how digital art can merge empathy, storytelling, and technology to create powerful, transformative work.
