Introducing Albert Herring – a comic tale of small town life, where the attitudes and relationships of the local dignitaries, both obvious and concealed, lead the hapless Albert Herring to his unwanted prominent role of May King in the community.

We are most fortunate to have within our own community of Clapham Old Town one of the leading authorities on the works of Benjamin Britten – Christopher Wintle, emeritus member of the Music Department of King’s College London, author of What Opera Means, and editor of Hans Keller’s Britten Essays, Letters and Opera Guides.

Ahead of our summer festival performances, Christopher will give a talk enlightening us with his extensive knowledge of both Britten and Albert, describing the origins of the work and illustrating how indebted it is in design to the middle and late works of Verdi.

The evening will also include a panel discussion with Christopher, SPO’s production Stage Director, Annemiek van Elst and Musical Director, Panaretos Kyriatzidis, followed by an audience Q&A. 

And to make sure you come away from the evening with a taste of the wonderful music of Albert Herring, members of the cast will perform excerpts from the opera throughout the evening.