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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

 

MAY 2023

LE NOZZE DI FIGARO" - W.A. Mozart

 St Peters College, The Sheldonian Theatre

​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
"THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO" - W.A. Mozart

co-production with Christ Church Dramatic Society

Conducted by Jane Glover (St. Hugh's),

Designed by Sheelagh Barnard,

Lighting by Edwin Osborn (Worcester) and

Directed by Julian Hope (Christ Church)

“DUCHESS OF MALFI" - Stephen Oliver

special commission by Oxford University Opera Club

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

Past Productions
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