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.

Join St Paul’s Opera and Patricia Ninian to celebrate a certain ‘Big Birthday’ with a free concert of opera and cabaret.

Patricia has invited some SPO friends to join her in putting together a sumptuous evening of opera’s classic repertoire and some gems from the world of cabaret – songs to create an evening of fun and celebration. And you are invited to enjoy the evening with them.

Patricia will be joined by friends including:

Louis and Tanya Hurst
Fiona Hymns
Louisa Tee
Alexandra Dinwiddie
Martins Smaukstelis
Owain Evans
Jonathan Boardman

And there’ll be a special performance from SPO co-founder, international soprano Jennifer McGregor

Of course, an SPO gala would not be complete without the unfailing support of accompanist, Panaretos Kyriatzidis.

It is truly a rare privilege to announce an evening bringing the cream of the world’s librettists together to discuss their role in crafting some of the most revered contemporary operatic ‘scripts’.

We are delighted to welcome Meredith Oakes and Philip Hensher to St Paul’s Opera’s home – St Paul’s Church, Rectory Grove, SW4 0DZ – on Tuesday 8th June at 8pm, to a round-table discussion hosted by the Rev Canon Jonathan Boardman, vicar of St Paul’s, and also a mine of information on all aspects of the operatic repertoire.

Australian Meredith Oakes wrote the libretto to The Tempest (Thomas Adés) which was premiered in February 2004 at the Royal Opera House. Meredith is also a prolific playwright. Philip Hensher, who was born in South London but grew up in Sheffield, is a Professor of Creative Writing at Bath Spa University. He wrote the libretto to Powder Her Face (Thomas Adés) and is also a novelist with Man Booker long- and short-listed books to his credit.

The evening will also include musical interludes to illustrate the topic of discussion.