La rondine, If Opera review - a bold opening gambit from a company changing the business of opera

Given there is an enormous variety of styles in the 2022 repertoire (most notably the contrast between the soaring theatricality of Puccini to the melancholic beauty of Purcell), the ensemble is carefully chosen to bring each production to life.

It is an important aspect of If Opera’s remit to source talent from the local community where possible, and with Bristol Ensemble being so close to us, both geographically and in terms of their ethos, it is a perfect partnership.

“A lady approached me recently and said ‘oh you will turn on the lights on the house won’t you? That is such a precious memory for me’.

For this year’s season we’re delighted to be back in the breathtaking grounds of Belcombe Court in Bradford on Avon. The perfect backdrop for our picnic prom (now sold out), musical family show (28 Aug) and operas: La rondine (26 | 29 Aug, 1 | 3 Sep), Rita & Il segreto di Susanna (27 | 31 Aug) and Dido and Aeneas (2 Sep).

This summer’s stories will enchant you with tales of love, heartbreak and sorcery. Are you ready for productions that will take you to Paris, Nice and adventures through time and space? Find out more about the stories in If Opera’s 2022 programme…

The If Opera Brochure has been released!

“Growing up in London, I wasn’t able to experience much opera but fell in love with it through this project,”

 “It is an act of courage to summon that quiet voice and tell someone ‘no’ – to trust in your own voice and power. Sometimes those magical moments of strength are given to us during the most everyday scenarios, but they still take courage and they still matter. This is what Adjustments means to me.”

New opera, in a new way, to a new crowd…

Michael Volpe OBE is new Chief Executive of If Opera, a repertory company with a fixed group of singers, performing work in specially chosen venues across the southwest.

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.