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. 

 

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 at one time known), we would like to hear from you at oxopsoc@gmail.com, so that we can fill some of the gaps in our timeline! 

THE OXFORD OPERA SOCIETY

The Oxford Opera Society is the Oxford main student opera society, which aims to bring opera lovers together and make opera more accessible to students during their time at Oxford (while also including Oxford alumni and non-student residents), both through appreciation and through participation. On the one hand, we arrange affordable trips to world class productions, promote any opera productions within Oxford, and put on social events to encourage like-minded people interested in opera to meet and share their interest. On the other hand, we provide opportunities to both experienced and inexperienced performers through talks, masterclasses, and operatic productions.

 

 

The Society is run by student and resident volunteers, and its activities in any one year depend on the particular interests of its dedicated committee. Since 2018, we have put on a major production every year, alternating between full operas and concerts of fully-staged scenes, as well as gala concerts. Although there are several operatic groups in Oxford, the Oxford Opera Society covers a niche because of its particular ethos of inclusivity in bringing the performers and the audience together in projects which encourage sharing of knowledge and enthusiasm for this great art form.

 

 

This project, the production of Cesar Cui’s A Feast in Time of Plague is a unique endeavour to maintain activity in spite of worldwide difficulties. It brings together professional singers and designers with local students of all levels, enabling an international collaboration and raising the profile of Oxford as a city where opera thrives, while bringing to its students and residents a most timely and poignant piece. We are a not-for-profit organisation run by volunteers, and any proceeds we receive from our projects go back into the Society to make future projects possible. The Oxford Opera Society receives no funding, and it takes donations to keep new and exciting events and opportunities running.

 

 

 

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PAST PRODUCTIONS