Our Story

Founded in 2017, Waterperry Opera Festival’s vision is for more people to try opera, be enriched by it, and think it is for them. We welcome audiences of all ages and stages to enjoy our high-quality, accessible and socially relevant operatic and classical performances set in the beautiful estate at Waterperry House and Gardens in Oxfordshire. Our productions are performed by an exciting diverse company of young emerging talent, with our Festival supporting the careers of many young artists, creatives, and practitioners year-on-year.

Our inaugural Summer Festival launched in 2018, with a 3-day season of opera for 1,000 attendees. Since then, over the past 7 years, we have produced 39 productions for over 22,000 attendees and have established a 10-day Summer Festival in August. Our audiences continue to grow every year as we punch above our weight to produce five-star productions, with performances also touring to other Arts Festivals across the United Kingdom, including; Opera Holland Park, Buxton International Festival, Newbury Spring Festival, Lichfield Festival, and Oundle Creative Festival. 

Community is at the heart of our Waterperry Opera Festival, with over a hundred singers, instrumentalists, creatives, crew, staff and volunteers coming together every year to make our work possible. Our Festival would also not be possible without the generous support from those who share our vision to support more young people in the Arts, and to make high quality opera accessible to a wider audience.

Our Vision

For more people to try opera, be enriched by it, and think it is for them.

​Our Mission Statement

Waterperry Opera Festival is a unique and innovative opera festival hosted at the beautiful Waterperry House & Gardens in Oxfordshire. The festival offers high-quality, accessible and socially relevant work, created and performed by a diverse company, which bridges the gap between artists and audiences.

  • ‘Britain’s youngest summer opera festival is seriously impressive’

    The Spectator, 2024

  • ‘An emphasis on young talent, with internships and training, gives the event an atmosphere of infectious, can-do energy.’

    The Observer, 2024

  • ‘It’s more like Glastonbury than Glyndebourne : the festival bringing opera to a new generation’

    The Telegraph, 2023

  • "This is a Figaro to be savoured and treasured (an exceptional achievement given the universal, lasting popularity of Mozart’s opera), and an evening of pure delight..."

    Oxford Daily Info

  • ‘Hear some of the great singers of the future before everyone else’

    The Telegraph, 2022

  • "Peter and the Wolf combined a wonderfully whimsical setting, beautiful musicianship and stellar storytelling. The result was both joyful and gently educational – and a delight for all ages."

    Ox in a Box

  • ​"For Donizetti's opera to work its magic the whole cast needs to shine and Adina's bel canto sensibility must ooze star quality. Both imperatives were met in style. Matt Haskins splashed a light show onto the walls of Waterperry House and Nemorino's happy ending came with an explosion of fireworks. I flat-out loved it.​"

    Opera Magazine