The Essex Summer Opera Festival 2025

Welcome to the only dedicated summer opera festival in East Anglia.  

The Wild Arts Ensemble productions have compelling storytelling and exceptional musicianship that everyone can enjoy.  

Gather family and friends, pack a picnic and come and enjoy captivating and enchanting opera in the surroundings of one of Essex’s most beautiful historic homes. 

A cast of exceptional singers is accompanied by the Wild Arts Ensemble, a hand-picked selection of the UK’s finest chamber musicians directed by the Wild Arts Artistic Director Orlando Joplin. 

The Wild Arts Ensemble are staging three performances of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin – a stunning exploration of life, death, love and pride in pre-revolutionary Russia, based on Alexander Pushkin’s great novel; and two performances Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love – our hit 2023 show returning with all the zip and joie de vivre of the original. 

“A joy beyond all expectation – sassily delivered and outstandingly well-sung.” ★★★★★  
Michael White's review of their 2023 production 

“A fine young cast excel, with engaging energy and superb singing. A knowing, cheeky sense of humour, while never detracting from Mozart’s delectable score.” ★★★★  
The Guardian on their 2022 production 

Explore the programme using the links below: