THE OXFORD OPERA SOCIETY
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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
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​MARCH 2022
“CHIAROSCURO: OPERA SCENES"
Levine Building, Trinity College
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JUNE 2021
“A FEAST IN TIME OF PLAGUE"
Virtual
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​MARCH 2021
“VIRTUAL VOICES"
Virtual
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NOVEMBER 2020
“OPERA TO YOUR SOFAS"
Virtual
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MARCH 2020
“THE OPERA SCENES 2020"
St. Peter's College
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JANUARY 2019
“ORFEO ED EURIDICE" - C.W. Gluck
Holywell Music Room
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FEBRUARY 2019
“FUNDRAISING GALA"
St. Peter's College
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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
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NOVEMBER 2018
“PSYCHE CONCERT, WHAT IS LOVE?"
Jesus College
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FEBRUARY 2017
“OPERA SOIREE"
Lincoln College
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FEBRUARY 2015
“DIDO AND AENEAS" - H. Purcell
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NOVEMBER 2013
“HERCULES" - G.F. Händel
St John the Evangelist, Iffley
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2010
“LE NOZZE DI FIGARO" - W.A. Mozart
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2009
“DIDO AND AENEAS" - H. Purcell
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2007 - 2009
“COSI FAN TUTTE" - W.A. Mozart
“THE TURN OF THE SCREW" - B. Britten
“MADAMA BUTTERFLY" - G. Puccini
“I PAGLIACCI" - R. Leoncavallo
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1991
“IDOMENEO" - W.A. Mozart
(Title role: Ian Bostridge)
Oxford Playhouse
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1989
“ACIS AND GALATEA" - G.F. Händel
Holywell Music Room
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1988
"DUKE BLUEBEARD’S CASTLE" - B. Bartók
Oxford Town Hall
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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
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1986
“THE MAGIC FLUTE" - W.A. Mozart
"FIERRABRAS" - F.P. Schubert
Oxford Playhouse
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1985
“LA PIETRA DEL PARAGONE" - G. Rossini
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1977
“CLÉLIE"
Holywell Music Room
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1973
“ROSINDA" - Cavalli
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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)
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“DUCHESS OF MALFI" - Stephen Oliver
special commission by Oxford University Opera Club
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1969
“AGAMEMNON"
Oxford Playhouse
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1968
“DIDO AND AENEAS" - H. Purcell.
Holywell Music Room
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1958
“OEDIPUS REX" - I. Stravinsky
“L'ENFANT ET LES SORTILEGES" - M. Ravel
Oxford Town Hall
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1956
“TAJEMSTVI" - B Smetana
(with Dame Janet Baker)
Lincoln College
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1955
“THE FAIR MAID OF PERTH" - G. Bizet
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1950
"THE TROJANS" - H. Berlioz
Oxford Town Hall
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1949
“IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS" - C.W. Gluck
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1943
“THE BEGGAR'S OPERA" - J.C. Pepusch
(produced by Anthony Besch)
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1937
“VENUS AND ADONIS" - J. Blow
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1934
“CASTOR AND POLLUX" - J.Ph. Rameau
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1933
“IPHIGENIA IN AULIS" - C.W. Gluck
Oxford Playhouse
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1927
“THE CORONATION OF POPPEA" - C. Monteverdi
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1926
“ALCESTE" - C.W. Gluck
Oxford Playhouse
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1925
“ORFEO" - C. Monteverdi
Oxford Playhouse