THE OXFORD OPERA SOCIETY
Although the Oxford Opera Society evolves every year, we can trace our history back to the formidable Oxford University Opera Club, which was the heart of opera in Oxford over the last century. Many big names, such as Dame Janet Baker and Ian Bostridge, had their early performances with the Oxford University Opera Club, and the club was also responsible for a number of British premieres, including Ravel’s L’Enfant et les Sortilèges.
Below is a comprehensive list of all our past productions, accompanied by the date and location of their performance where known. Due to the ever-changing nature of the Society, there is no one continuous record of our history. So, if you have been involved with the Oxford University Opera Club or Oxford Opera (as it was once known), we would like to hear from you at oxopsoc@gmail.com, so that we can fill some of the gaps in our timeline!
PAST PRODUCTIONS
MARCH 2022
“CHIAROSCURO: OPERA SCENES"
Levine Building, Trinity College
JUNE 2021
“A FEAST IN TIME OF PLAGUE"
Virtual
MARCH 2021
“VIRTUAL VOICES"
Virtual
NOVEMBER 2020
“OPERA TO YOUR SOFAS"
Virtual
MARCH 2020
“THE OPERA SCENES 2020"
St. Peter's College
JANUARY 2019
“ORFEO ED EURIDICE" - C.W. Gluck
Holywell Music Room
FEBRUARY 2019
“FUNDRAISING GALA"
St. Peter's College
NOVEMBER 2018
“PURCELL MASTERCLASS WITH SKY INGRAM"
St. Hilda's College
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“THE OPERA SCENES IN CONCERT"
St Michael’s at the Northgate, Cornmarket
MAY 2018
“MASTERCLASS WITH GUY WITHERS"
St. Peter's College
NOVEMBER 2018
“PSYCHE CONCERT, WHAT IS LOVE?"
Jesus College
FEBRUARY 2017
“OPERA SOIREE"
Lincoln College
FEBRUARY 2015
“DIDO AND AENEAS" - H. Purcell
NOVEMBER 2013
“HERCULES" - G.F. Händel
St John the Evangelist, Iffley
2010
“LE NOZZE DI FIGARO" - W.A. Mozart
2009
“DIDO AND AENEAS" - H. Purcell
2007 - 2009
“COSI FAN TUTTE" - W.A. Mozart
“THE TURN OF THE SCREW" - B. Britten
“MADAMA BUTTERFLY" - G. Puccini
“I PAGLIACCI" - R. Leoncavallo
1991
“IDOMENEO" - W.A. Mozart
(Title role: Ian Bostridge)
Oxford Playhouse
1989
“ACIS AND GALATEA" - G.F. Händel
Holywell Music Room
1988
"DUKE BLUEBEARD’S CASTLE" - B. Bartók
Oxford Town Hall
1987
"THE NIGHT BELL" - G. Donizetti
Holywell Music Room
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“CAMACHO’S WEDDING" - G.F. Telemann
(Chris Ventris as Basilio)
Oxford Playhouse
1986
“THE MAGIC FLUTE" - W.A. Mozart
"FIERRABRAS" - F.P. Schubert
Oxford Playhouse
1985
“LA PIETRA DEL PARAGONE" - G. Rossini
1977
“CLÉLIE"
Holywell Music Room
1973
“ROSINDA" - Cavalli
1971
“DUCHESS OF MALFI" - Stephen Oliver
special commission by Oxford University Opera Club
(now Oxford Opera Society)
1969
“AGAMEMNON"
Oxford Playhouse
1968
“DIDO AND AENEAS" - H. Purcell.
Holywell Music Room
1958
“OEDIPUS REX" - I. Stravinsky
“L'ENFANT ET LES SORTILEGES" - M. Ravel
Oxford Town Hall
1956
“TAJEMSTVI" - B Smetana
(with Dame Janet Baker)
Lincoln College
1955
“THE FAIR MAID OF PERTH" - G. Bizet
1950
"THE TROJANS" - H. Berlioz
Oxford Town Hall
1949
“IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS" - C.W. Gluck
1943
“THE BEGGAR'S OPERA" - J.C. Pepusch
(produced by Anthony Besch)
1937
“VENUS AND ADONIS" - J. Blow
1934
“CASTOR AND POLLUX" - J.Ph. Rameau
1933
“IPHIGENIA IN AULIS" - C.W. Gluck
Oxford Playhouse
1927
“THE CORONATION OF POPPEA" - C. Monteverdi
1926
“ALCESTE" - C.W. Gluck
Oxford Playhouse
1925
“ORFEO" - C. Monteverdi
Oxford Playhouse