(Photography credit: Julian Guidera)

Waterperry Opera Festival announces its 2026 Festival, running from Aug. 7–16, 2026. This is the first season under the leadership of Artistic Director and CEO John Savournin.

“Our 2026 programme reflects everything we believe in as a Festival: artistic excellence, imagination, and openness,” Savourin said per an official press release. “Alongside two operatic masterpieces, we are offering family shows, themed recitals, free community events and a beautiful new site-specific performance. These initiatives are united by our desire to create meaningful opportunities for young and emerging artists, and to offer audiences a warm welcome, including those who may never have experienced opera before.”

The festival presents Puccini’s “La bohème,” performed in English, in the first presentation of the work at Waterperry. Bertie Baigent conducts the production, directed by Ruth Knight. The cast includes Faryl Smith as Mimì, Robert Forrest as Rodolfo, Ceferina Penny as Musetta, and Jolyon Loy as Marcello.

Performance Dates: Aug. 9–16, 2026

Donizetti’s “The Elixir of Love” follows, also performed in English. Charlotte Politi conducts the production, directed by John Wilkie, with a new English libretto by David Eaton. The cast features Daisy Brown as Adina, Matthew McKinney as Nemorino, Matthew Kellett as Dulcamara, and James Geidt as Belcore.

Performance Dates: Aug. 7–13, 2026

The festival revives Peter Rabbit’s “Musical Adventures,” a family production previously presented in 2023. The performance is staged in the amphitheatre and features Oskar McCarthy.

Performance Dates: Aug. 8–13, 2026

A new concert series, “Music in the Ballroom,” debuts in 2026 at Waterperry House. The series opens with a recital by bass-baritone John Savournin and concludes with a recital by baritone Roderick Williams OBE.

Additional recitals feature artists from Opera Prelude.

Performance Dates: Aug. 8–13, 2026

Returning events include “Last Night at the Opera,” a program of operatic excerpts, and Serenades, featuring music by Mozart and Dvořák in an outdoor setting.

Performance Dates: Aug. 16, 2026

“Living Light: Visions of an Abbess” is presented at St Mary the Virgin Church beside Waterperry House. The site-specific performance, inspired by the music and writings of Hildegard von Bingen, is directed by Rebecca Meltzer.

Performance Dates: Aug. 11–15, 2026

The 2026 Festival also includes free events, including a Come and Sing workshop, children’s craft workshops, and the Young Artist Gala, featuring participants from the festival’s Young Artist Programme.

Performance Dates: Aug. 7–16, 2026