The Royal Opera has announced a new long term initiative called “Royal Opera: NOW (New Opera Works).”

The project aims to commission, develop, and support new opera productions over the coming years.

The program was unveiled alongside a parallel initiative from the Royal Ballet, FUTUREWORKS, a five year program supporting choreographers working in classical ballet. On the opera side, “NOW” aims to move beyond individual commissions and nurture a sustained structure offering artists time, space, and support to develop new work and take creative risks.

“We are reinvigorating our approach to commissioning and research and development to expand the future of the art form,” said Oliver Mears, Director of Opera at the Royal Opera, per an official press release. “Our aim is to cultivate a thriving creative ecosystem in which opera can grow, evolve and flourish, ensuring its continued relevance for the future.”