Welcome to If Opera
Iford Arts was known as a small but quietly radical company, creating opera performances, proms and concerts in intimate and beautiful settings. This unique character, along with a young artists programme and educational and outreach work, gave Iford Arts national recognition and a renowned reputation for excellence.
However, a global pandemic and a change in circumstances forced us to rethink everything and reimagine our work for a new world.
Iford Arts core activity was producing opera, and over the last six months, we found ourselves asking ‘What If? What if our music was open to all? What if our productions went beyond the music? What if our productions were a force for good? We knew that we were already fulfilling some of this criteria but could we do more of it and better? Could we could build back from lockdown stronger, with a company that addressed the systemic issues faced by opera companies all around the globe and set important new principles for the industry? We wanted to challenge how things have always been done and make our work more creative, fair and relevant to society again.
Welcome to If Opera
Here we are several months on, and whilst the shadow of COVID 19 still lingers in the wings, we have emerged from lockdown with a company that’s stronger than ever and with values that we are really excited about.
We’re so excited about the future!
If Opera is a company that blends the best of the old with the best and most exciting of the new. We’ll still be producing our fabulous picnic proms, concerts and operas in traditional and stunning locations but we’ll also pioneer new startling and innovative stages.
We’re a repertory ensemble opera company. We engage a group of individually selected, emerging talent who are forging careers in the world of opera and who will create the majority of our work throughout each season, usually performing in more than one production, concert or outreach/community programme. We also provide places in our company for artists returning to the industry after a career break and who have difficulty getting opportunities to get back on stage. Our ensemble will be as diverse as possible and be at a variety of stages in establishing their names in the industry.
The company will work closely together over a period of two or more months in a nurturing, egalitarian and intensive way, growing as artists through a process of hard work, and regular day to day creative and professional development. Our company ethos is one of inclusivity, collaboration and one that gives agency back to performers.
It’s going to take courage but we know we are making changes that will have long reaching benefits for the industry, artists and audiences alike. Come with us on this brave and exciting new chapter in our evolution.
Stay in Touch
Our monthly newsletter will be full of interesting news about If Opera events and what’s happening in the arts both locally and industry wide - who knows maybe the odd competition or ticket giveaway too!
Come with us, we’d love to have you with us..