OperaUpClose is a national touring opera company rooted in theatre with partnership and innovation at our heart

Intimate in scale, mighty in impact

Working from Southampton’s dynamic cultural hub 

MAST, Mayflower Studios…

We improve the availability, relevance and reach of opera by taking high-quality, affordable productions to places and people across the UK not otherwise well-served by opera and the arts more widely. 

We produce at an intimate scale as an active artistic choice, strengthening our commitment to give all performers equal agency as storytellers and breaking down barriers between pit, stage and audience.

We work with composers and writers to commission re-interpretations of known work that distill the essence of classic operas into new, contemporary chamber works with their own artistic integrity and excellence.

We commission new cross-disciplinary companion pieces in partnership with exceptional arts organisations from across the UK, co-creating with community and school groups.

We create work made with and for very young children, engaging a new generation in the power of musical storytelling.

We support new voices within the art-form with paid training programmes for emerging producers, directors, conductors and performers through our Young Associate Artist Scheme.

We aim to diversify both those who make opera (including performers, writers, designers and directors) and those who watch it by engaging people of all genders, ethnicities, backgrounds & economic means as audience, as performers & behind the scenes.

We are creating legacy and impact by enriching the repertoire with excellent new work that will last and be of future value for organisations and audiences across the UK.

Refreshing the operatic canon

Working with composers, writers and community groups to refresh and re-new the repertoire for a contemporary audience. Breaking down traditional barriers of pit, stage and audience with bold, chamber re-imaginings.