OperaUpClose

OperaUpClose is a national touring opera company that brings the power of opera to audiences across the UK. With partnership and innovation at our core, we are committed to making opera accessible and relevant to everyone. Based in Southampton's dynamic cultural hub MAST, Mayflower Studios, we strive to improve the availability, relevance, and reach of opera by taking high-quality, affordable productions to places and people who are not typically well-served by the opera and arts community.

Our approach is unique. We work with composers and writers to commission re-interpretations of beloved operas, distilling their essence into contemporary chamber works. By producing at an intimate scale, we give all performers equal agency as storytellers and break down barriers between the pit, stage, and audience.

Additionally, we collaborate with exceptional arts organizations to create cross-disciplinary companion pieces, co-creating with community and school groups. At OperaUpClose, we aim to diversify both the creators and the audience of opera. Through our Young Associate Artist Scheme, we support emerging producers, directors, conductors, and performers.

We also engage very young children in the power of musical storytelling through specially created operas tailored to 2-5 year-olds. Founded in 2009, OperaUpClose quickly established itself as a fresh voice in opera, winning the prestigious Olivier Award in 2011. As a registered charity and a member of the Arts Council England National Funding Portfolio, we are dedicated to enriching the opera repertoire with excellent new work that will endure and inspire audiences across the UK.

Contact us to discover the transformative power of opera and join our mission to make this captivating art form accessible to all