Opera Holland Park, the London summer opera company known for punching above its weight, celebrates its 30th birthday this year. Director of opera James Clutton has selected some of his favourite moments from the past three decades, showcasing the company's growth from a local council initiative to an internationally recognised opera house.
Early Milestones and National Recognition
National recognition began with a series of productions combining striking personality and musical style with strong design. After a pivotal 2003 staging of Fidelio, director Olivia Fuchs returned to direct Verdi's Macbeth in 2005, described by the Guardian as 'supremely intelligent and nerve-shredding', with designs by Bob Bailey. The 2006 production of Tchaikovsky's The Queen of Spades faced a crisis when the leading tenor suffered a vocal collapse on opening night. Clutton recalls finding a replacement from a Russian company touring at the Coliseum, and a single playing card—the Queen of Spades—on the pavement outside.
Tosca and Olympic Flame
Stephen Barlow's 2008 staging of Tosca, set in the grit and glamour of 1968 Rome, catapulted South African soprano Amanda Echalaz to stardom. Sixteen years later, she returned for the first revival, conducted by Matthew Kofi Waldren, a graduate of the company's young artists scheme. In 2010, Opera Holland Park was named opera company of the year by the Sunday Times. During the 2012 Olympic torch relay, a crowd of 600 watched principals and chorus sing Beethoven's Ode to Joy on the theatre steps, conducted by Stuart Stratford.
Rarities and Commissions
Operatic rarities became the company's calling card, including Wolf-Ferrari's I gioielli della Madonna (2013), which launched the career of Welsh soprano Natalya Romaniw, described as 'siren-like' in the Guardian. The company commissioned Will Todd and Maggie Gottlieb's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (2013), a freewheeling adaptation of Lewis Carroll's classic, which delighted London schoolchildren in al fresco performances. It returned to the main stage in 2026. The most ambitious production, Puccini's Il trittico (2015), earned the company's first nomination for a Royal Philharmonic Society award.
Gold Standard and Community Impact
Rodula Gaitanou's 2018 updating of La traviata to 1890s Paris was hailed as 'world class opera' by the Stage and 'dazzling' by the Guardian, revived in 2021 and 2025. An independent charity since 2015, OHP remains close to its civic roots. After the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, which killed 72 residents including staff member Debbie Lamprell, a benefit performance of Verdi's Requiem was swiftly organised, followed by the Hope for Grenfell Gala. The Inspire programme takes music into schools, care homes, clinics, homeless shelters and hospitals year-round, and won the 2018 International Opera Award for education and outreach.
Young Artists and Sustainability
Founded in 2012, the young artists scheme has launched over 100 careers, with 24 alumni returning in senior roles in the 2026 season. Notable artists include tenor David Butt Philip, sopranos Amanda Echalaz and Natalya Romaniw, and conductors Stuart Stratford and Charlotte Corderoy. The company's commitment to sustainability is embodied in its open-air auditorium, reimagined in 2021 using upcycled wood, repurposed shipping containers and sustainably sourced materials. Seating is repurposed from theatres across the UK, and the site is fully LED-lit.
Opera Holland Park's 2026 season continues until 22 August.
