On the afternoon of Sunday 14 December, younger audiences and their families can enjoy a magical retelling of The Nutcracker, brought to life by the Waterperry Wind Quintet and narrator. This charming, bite-sized concert features all the musical highlights of Tchaikovsky’s beloved ballet, the perfect introduction to classical music and a joyous seasonal outing for children and adults alike.

The Nutcracker: Family Concerts

Wadham College

Now firmly established as a Waterperry Christmas tradition, our Messiah performances have captivated sold-out audiences since 2021. Join us for an exquisite evening of uplifting music with an ensemble of distinguished soloists and period instrumentalists with Bertie Baigent at the helm, all within the magical atmosphere of The Holywell Music Room. Following the Oxford concerts, Messiah will also be presented at the stunning St Marylebone Parish Church in London.

Handel’s Messiah

St Marylebone Parish Church

Returning to Oxford by popular demand for one night only, the acclaimed vintage jazz ensemble The Easy Rollers bring a sparkling evening of Christmas jazz and crooner classics. Their high-energy performances, inspired by the glamour and swing of the Jazz Age, promise to make this a festive highlight of the season.

The Easy Rollers: A Christmas Jazz Concert

Join us for the grand finale of the Waterperry Opera Festival with "Last Night at the Opera" on August 18th, starting at 7:00pm on the Waterperry Main Stage. This one-night-only event promises an unforgettable evening under the stars, featuring our exceptional Festival orchestra. Led by the internationally acclaimed conductor, Bertie Baigent, and hosted by Guy Verrall-Withers, the evening will showcase a gala concert filled with operatic favorites, enchanting duets, and the mesmerizing harmonies of composers like Mozart and Tchaikovsky.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of Waterperry House and Gardens, the concert will run until 9:15pm, including a 30-minute interval to enjoy the surroundings. This open-air classical concert is designed to captivate both the opera aficionados and newcomers alike, offering an elegant yet casual setting for families, children, and music lovers of all ages.

The gala concert will feature performances in English by a talented cast, including soprano Jessica Cale, mezzo Samantha Price, tenor Xavier Hetherington, and baritone Jerome Knox. This is a unique opportunity to experience the power of live opera and the beauty of classical music in an accessible and welcoming environment.

General booking opens on April 11, with priority booking available for festival supporters. Don't miss your chance to be part of this magical summer evening at the Waterperry Opera Festival.

Last Night at the Opera

Waterperry House

Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of classical music with "Serenades" at the Waterperry Opera Festival, set against the picturesque backdrop of Waterperry Gardens. This unique event, taking place on the 16th and 18th of August 2024, offers a daytime concert experience designed to welcome everyone, including those with learning disabilities, access requirements, or young families. Breaking away from the constraints of traditional theatre etiquette, Serenades invites its audience to enjoy performances in a relaxed, comfortable setting within the Garden Glade from 2pm to approximately 3pm.

Featuring the enchanting compositions of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, such as the Divertimento in D and Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, alongside Fanny Mendelssohn's String Quartet in E-Flat Major, the event promises a tranquil escape into the world of classical music. The performances are curated to provide an accessible and laid-back atmosphere, ensuring a warm and welcoming experience for all attendees.

In addition to the musical feast, ticket holders will be granted free access to the gardens, allowing for a perfect blend of music and nature. This initiative not only showcases the festival's commitment to inclusivity but also enhances the overall experience by connecting attendees with the surrounding beauty of Waterperry Gardens.

General booking for Serenades opens on the 11th of April, with priority booking available for festival supporters. This event is a must-attend for anyone looking to enjoy classical music in a relaxed setting, promising an afternoon of delightful melodies and peaceful garden vistas.

Serenades

Waterperry Gardens

Immerse yourself in an evening of enchanting music at the Waterperry Opera Festival with the premiere dramatic staging of Jonathan Dove's song cycles in "Nights Not Spent Alone." This captivating event is set to take place in the intimate and historic Waterperry House Ballroom on the 15th, 16th, and 17th of August 2024, offering audiences a unique blend of poetry and music.

The performance features a selection of Dove's most intimate and witty song cycles for Mezzo-Soprano and Piano, including the evocative "Nights Not Spent Alone," based on poems by Edna St. Vincent Millay, alongside "My Love is Mine," "Five Am'rous Sighs," and "All You Who Sleep Tonight." This thought-provoking and seductive performance is enhanced by a compelling mise-en-scène, promising an unforgettable experience in the wonderful acoustics and ambiance of the Waterperry House Ballroom.

The music, composed by Jonathan Dove and performed in English, is licensed by arrangement with Peters Edition Limited, London. The creative team behind this mesmerizing event includes Musical Director Ashley Beauchamp, Director Thomas Henderson, and Singer Hannah Bennett, ensuring an evening of high-quality musical and theatrical artistry.

General booking for "Nights Not Spent Alone" opens on the 11th of April, with priority booking available for festival supporters. This is a unique opportunity to experience the dramatic staging of Dove's song cycles in an intimate setting, making it a must-see event at the Waterperry Opera Festival. Don't miss your chance to be part of this special musical journey.

Nights Not Spent Alone

Come and see our Young Artists present a Gala concert comprising of selected arias and ensembles from a variety of different operas. This is an exclusive opportunity to witness the talent of the next generation of bright opera stars in the intimate setting of the Waterperry House ballroom.

Young Artist Gala

This event is open to all Waterperry Opera Festival audience members aged 10+. No experience needed, and there is no requirement to be able to read music.

Come and Sing with Waterperry Opera Festival

It’s time for our young audiences to get creative! Whether you’re a first-time puppeteer, or a puppet-making prodigy, we welcome all of our Peter & the Wolf young audience members to explore their artistic skills and bring their own puppets to life.

Peter & His Puppets Craft Workshop

Waterperry Opera Festival

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of classical music and storytelling at the Waterperry Opera Festival, featuring the beloved family show "Peter and the Wolf." Set against the picturesque backdrop of Waterperry Gardens, this magical performance is scheduled for the 10th, 11th, and 17th of August 2024, with captivating 30-minute shows at 1pm and 3pm.

"Peter and the Wolf," a musical tale composed by Sergei Prokofiev, is brought to life through a unique blend of narration, puppetry, and a talented quintet, where each character is vividly represented by a different instrument. This family-friendly adventure follows young Peter as he ventures into a magical forest on a daring quest to capture a cunning wolf, offering a perfect introduction to classical music for young audiences.

Directed by Guy Verrall-Withers and choreographed by Julia Cave, the performance promises an unforgettable experience with its whimsical setting, beautiful musicianship, and stellar storytelling. Storytellers Jonathan Mewett and Lizzie Buckingham guide the audience through this timeless tale, making it a joyous and gently educational event for all ages.

In addition to the performances, children's workshops are available on the 10th and 17th of August, providing an interactive opportunity for young ones to dive deeper into the world of "Peter and the Wolf."

General booking opens on the 11th of April, with priority booking available for festival supporters. Don't miss this enchanting family show that combines the magic of music, narration, and puppetry in the heart of Waterperry Gardens.

Peter and the Wolf

Immerse yourself in the vibrant and comedic world of Rossini's masterpiece, "The Barber of Seville," at this year's Waterperry Opera Festival. Set against the stunning backdrop of Waterperry House, this headline opera promises an unforgettable experience filled with wit, charm, and Rossini's famous melodies. Join us for a series of performances on the 10th, 11th, 14th, 15th, and 17th of August 2024, where the bustling streets of Seville come to life on the Waterperry Main Stage.

The story unfolds with the clever and quick-witted Figaro, the barber extraordinaire, as he devises a plan to help his friend, Count Almaviva, win the heart of the beautiful Rosina. Through a series of hilarious disguises and mischievous schemes, they navigate the challenges posed by Rosina's overbearing guardian, Dr. Bartolo, who has his own matrimonial plans for her. This production, performed in English with a translation by Christopher Cowell, features a talented cast including Brenton Spiteri as Count Almaviva, Esme Bronwen-Smith as Rosina, and Patrick Alexander Keefe as Figaro, under the direction of John Wilkie and the baton of conductor Charlotte Corderoy.

Performances start at 6:30pm, featuring an extended dining interval, and conclude at approximately 9:45pm. General booking opens on April 11, with priority booking available for festival supporters. Don't miss this opportunity to experience Rossini's effervescent arias and lively melodies in a production that celebrates love, laughter, and the triumph of cunning over force.

For tickets and further information, visit the Waterperry Opera Festival's official website. Join us for an evening of unforgettable opera under the stars at the Waterperry Main Stage.

The Barber of Seville

Immerse yourself in the chilling and captivating world of Benjamin Britten's operatic masterpiece, "The Turn of the Screw," presented at the Waterperry Opera Festival. This haunting tale of supernatural mystery and psychological drama unfolds on the intimate and unique stage of the Waterperry Amphitheatre, offering audiences an unforgettable experience.

Set against the eerie backdrop of Bly House, the opera tells the story of a young governess sent to care for two orphaned children, Flora and Miles. What begins as an innocent assignment soon spirals into a nightmarish ordeal as the governess encounters strange apparitions and seeks to protect her charges from sinister forces lurking within the estate.

This gripping production, performed in English, features a talented cast including Charlotte Bowden as the Governess, Robin Bailey as Prologue/Quint, Sian Dicker as Miss Jessel, and Georgia Mae Ellis as Mrs. Grose. Under the direction of Rebecca Meltzer and with Bertie Baigent conducting, the creative team brings to life the eerie and suspenseful atmosphere of Britten's work, complemented by the stunning set and costume designs of April Dalton.

Performances are scheduled for the 9th, 13th, and 16th of August 2024, starting at 7:30pm and concluding at 9:45pm, with a short 30-minute interval. The event is suitable for audiences aged 10 and above, offering a spellbinding experience that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

General booking opens on April 11, with priority booking available for festival supporters. Don't miss your chance to witness this operatic treasure at the Waterperry Opera Festival, a production supported by Gini & Richard Gabbertas, Kaye & David Lillycrop, and Malcolm Herring. Join us for an evening of thrilling music and storytelling at the Waterperry Amphitheatre.

The Turn of the Screw

Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love bursts to life at a village fair, where a fast‑talking elixir seller, a self‑styled charmer, and two stubborn hearts set off romance, rivalry, and irresistible community spirit under lanterns and bunting.

The Elixir of Love

Puccini’s La bohème unfolds in a dreamlike Waterperry of the late-1930s - the decaying estate a bastion of bohemian artistry amidst fast-evolving world events. Expect soaring music, laughter, and heartbreak in an unforgettable night of opera beneath the stars.

La bohème

This intimate ballroom concert series shines a light on the richness of the human voice. Across four events, different voice types take centre stage, revealing how character, emotion, and storytelling live within the music.

Music in the Ballroom

Serenades is a summer outdoor concert designed to delight audiences of all ages. Dvořák’s Serenades unfold with warmth, charm, and pastoral ease, perfectly suited to a garden setting, while extracts from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro add humour, romance, and an irresistible theatrical sparkle. Set among trees and summer greenery, this informal afternoon performance brings together instrumental beauty and operatic splendour in a welcoming festival atmosphere.

Join Peter Rabbit on a garden adventure, guided by a magical storyteller, in this charming retelling of Beatrix Potter’s beloved tale, brought to life with Haydn’s string quartets. A perfect introduction to classical music for children - and fun for all ages!

Peter Rabbit’s Musical Adventures

Living Light: Visions of an Abbess explores the inner world of Hildegard von Bingen through the visions that shaped her life and art. She experienced these revelations as intense, multi-sensory spiritual encounters, moments of colour, sound, and presence from which her extraordinary creativity flowed. At the heart of these visions was a radiant divine force she named Lux Vivens, the Living Light, inspiring music born directly from illumination.

Living Light: Visions of an Abbess

St Mary the Virgin Church

Bring the 2026 Waterperry Opera Festival to a stunning close with Last Night at the Opera - an unforgettable evening of opera’s greatest hits, featuring four sensational soloists, our festival orchestra, and conductor Bertie Baigent on the mainstage.

Waterperry Opera Festival

7 - 13 Aug, 2026

The Elixir of Love

8 - 15 Aug, 2026

La bohème

8 - 16 Aug, 2026

Music in the Ballroom

8 - 15 Aug, 2026

Serenades

8 - 16 Aug, 2026

Peter Rabbit’s Musical Adventures

Dec 14, 2025

The Nutcracker: Family Concerts

13 - 20 Dec, 2025

Handel’s Messiah

Waterperry Opera Festival