Regents Opera

Regents Opera is a prominent fringe opera company established in 2011, known for specializing in the larger works of the 19th and 20th centuries. The company provides both emerging and established singers with opportunities to perform major operatic repertoire that is often not staged outside of major opera houses. Regents Opera has garnered critical acclaim for its immersive productions, which include a complete performance of Wagner's "Der Ring des Nibelungen" and "Der fliegende Holländer," Verdi's "Falstaff," "Simon Boccanegra," and "Don Carlo," Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor," and Strauss' "Die Fledermaus." The company was co-founded by Nick Heath, who serves as its founder, and is currently under the artistic direction of Ben Woodward. The board also includes Sarah Heenan as Treasurer, Sir Thomas Allen as Patron, and John Paul Jennings as Assistant Artistic Director. Regents Opera has been recognized for its passionate and grandiose performances, with positive reviews from notable publications such as Opera Now and The Times. In addition to staging operas, Regents Opera is dedicated to educational programs and has established orchestral workshops. These workshops are designed to provide orchestral players and singers the chance to work on large-scale operas in their original orchestrations within a non-pressured environment. The company's commitment to education extends to the Robert Presley Memorial Verdi Prize, a bi-annual Verdi Singing Prize with no age limit, established in memory of the much-loved founding member and Verdi enthusiast, Robert Presley. Regents Opera also acknowledges the support of its partners and sponsors, including Big Yellow Self Storage Camberly, for their ongoing support. The company continues to contribute to the cultural landscape by offering a platform for artists and bringing operatic works to a wider audience.