December News

What a lovely month we had as we drew 2025 to a close. We were very sorry that Natasha Agarwal was unable to perform her Christmas recital, From Folktale to Opera: Stories in Song, due to illness, but we were so fortunate that the wonderful Ross Cumming was able to step in at the last minute. Ross treated our audience to his recital It’s All Greek to Me, and we’re incredibly grateful to him for coming to our rescue — and very happy to report that Natasha has since made a full recovery.

We were then joined by the countertenor Tom Lilburn for a truly beautiful Christmas recital, Echoes of the Nativity: A Countertenor’s Christmas. Performed in the atmospheric setting of St Pancras Clocktower, it felt like the perfect way to mark the season. From operatic treasures by Monteverdi, Handel and Britten to much-loved Christmas music by Warlock, Cornelius and more, it was a magical evening — thank you, Tom, for getting us so perfectly into the Christmas spirit.

Our final OperaBites of 2025 was given by soprano Phoebe Smith, who also kindly stepped in for Natasha. Phoebe sang gloriously, and our audience loved her programme of festive favourites alongside soprano classics. She was joined by the wonderful George Ireland at the piano at St Mary’s, Barnes. We’re already looking forward to many more OperaBites — not only in Barnes, but in Hampstead too — in the year ahead.

Elsewhere, our Young Artists had a successful December. Will Diggle, tenor, appeared as Gherardo & Counsel in Trial By Jury at Stadttheater Passau, where he is an ensemble member. He also appeared as Pappacoda in Eine Nacht in Venedig throughout December. OP alumna Joanna Harries appeared alongside Ermonela Jaho in Opera Rara’s concert performance of Puccini’s La rondine at the Barbican Centre. She sang the roles of Suzy/ Lolette / Rorò. And soprano Shafali Jalota appeared with the Royal Opera Chorus in their performances of Turandot!

Thank you so much for being with us in 2025 – we can’t wait to share 2026 with you!