OperaUpClose

OperaUpClose is a touring opera company, based in London and led by Artistic Director Robin Norton-Hale. The company was founded in 2009 to produce its début production, Robin Norton-Hale's Olivier Award winning, modern adaptation of Puccini's La bohème at The Cock Tavern Theatre.

OperaUpClose produce new English language versions of the standard repertoire and World Premieres of new operas. Of the standard works, La bohème stands out as having been particularly successful in runs for extended periods and has transferred to a West End location. Since being founded in 2009 OperaUpClose has produced twenty-five operas: six world premieres of contemporary operas and nineteen classic operas in newly commissioned chamber orchestrations and English librettos. Their production of La Bohème won the 2011 Olivier Award for Best Opera Production and the WhatsOnStage.com Award for Best Off-West End production; and our world premiere of The Blank Canvas won the 2015 Off West End Award for Best Opera.

Between 2010 and 2015 OperaUpClose was the resident company at The King's Head Theatre in Islington managing all operations and programming of the venue. From that date "the company will work in a variety of larger venues in London, including Kings Place, Soho Theatre and Tricycle Theatre, and further develop its touring output across the UK." The company is an Associate Company of Soho Theatre and co-produce with the Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Tricycle Theatre, Kings Place and Malmö Opera (Sweden). It tours within the UK and internationally. OperaUpClose has produced at least four operas a year, all in new English versions.

In 2014 OperaUpClose began operating as a charity. Ending their residency at the King’s Head Theatre in 2015 allowed them to develop touring; education and participation programmes; and "to create more ambitious and innovative productions than a residency in one small theatre allowed".

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