Claire Jackson: 'There are times when fairness is not enough – and equity must prevail over equality'

Opinion
Thursday, February 27, 2025
| Opera Now

'Sometimes, positive discrimination exists as a conscious policy. Like others, I have had my doubts about the fairness of such decisions'

The Opera Trip: 'Opera is treated as something as ridiculous as it is wondrous and essential'

Opinion
Thursday, February 6, 2025
| Opera Now

The Opera Trip: how a Danish TV series is changing the game when it comes to talking about opera

'Exploring opera as a children’s cultural product is perhaps mostly a question of gatekeeping and access'

Opinion
Thursday, February 6, 2025
| Opera Now

Beyond Hansel and Gretel: developing opera for children is a question of removing gatekeeping and improving access

‘It's the end of the world as we know it... and I feel fine!': Ben Woodward on life amidst a fringe Ring Cycle

Opinion
Monday, January 20, 2025
| Opera Now

Ben Woodward writes honestly about the chaos, exhaustion and all-encompassing emotions of putting together Regents Opera's Ring cycle this February

A financial cliff-edge: saving Streetwise Opera

Opinion
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
| Opera Now

A opera company working in frontline homelessness settings, Martin Constantine and Rachael Williams from Streetwise Opera ask how we can move beyond short-term emergency measures for funding social impact organisations

'The view that the Arts Council should just shut up and give us lots more money is not realistic' – Michael Volpe on the ecology of opera

Opinion
Monday, December 16, 2024
| Opera Now

Michael Volpe introduces what it would look like to confronting the opera industry's issues head-on, employing artists on annual contracts and reframing the powers of the entire system

'I’m part of a growing trend of singers who are carving their own niche in the industry' | Melinda Hughes on injury, comedy and loneliness in opera

Opinion
Monday, November 4, 2024
| Opera Now

Melinda Hughes shares the journey from spinal injury to beginning her work as a successful operatic comedian

The importance of making legendary opera roles you own

Opinion
Friday, October 11, 2024
| Opera Now

Certain repertoire has the weight of history on its shoulders, but we should remember that previous singers were only interpreters

Does John Adams still ‘own’ Nixon in China?

Opinion
Friday, October 11, 2024
| Opera Now

What is my opinion as a critic, audience member and fan of the opera worth, against that of its creator?

'Although it requires elite performers, French Baroque opera is for all' - Laurence Cummings

Opinion
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
| Opera Now

Music Director of the Academy of Ancient Music Laurence Cummings looks back on the history of French Baroque opera and considers why it is so neglected in the UK

Excellence and relevance in opera are not mutually exclusive | Andrew Mellor opinion

Opinion
Monday, July 15, 2024
| Opera Now

The traditional operatic canon can still profoundly speak to us today

'The essence of storytelling is about more than training' Tom Guthrie on Lewisham Creative Chorus

Opinion
Monday, July 15, 2024
| Opera Now

Founder of Lewisham Creative Chorus brings forward the power of storytelling through opera, no matter your background

'Despite the elitist slur levelled at opera, it’s not the word that springs to mind when you work with talented young composers' | Dr Jessica Walker on new opera creation

Opinion
Friday, June 14, 2024
| Opera Now

Singer, librettist and lecturer Jessica Walker highlights the importance of higher education in the development of new opera and audiences

'Within the wider international opera community togetherness is lacking and that puts the art form even more at risk' - Harry Hyman | opinion

Opinion
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
| Opera Now

The International Opera Awards founder and entrepreneur argues the need for togetherness when campaigning for funding in the arts

Lila Palmer: ‘We do not have to choose between innovation and excellence – and we must not’

Opinion
Thursday, April 4, 2024
| Opera Now

The librettist Lila Palmer on setting the right direction for the development of opera in the 21st century