Make the most of the weather this summer by heading to Opera Holland Park: named the UK’s Best Opera Company by the Sunday Times a few years back, Kensington’s beautiful Holland Park is transformed into a theatre each summer, for two months of spectacular shows. Stunning operas, performed by an internationally-renowned company, against the beautiful backdrop of one of London’s most stunning parks: is there a better way to spend a summer’s evening?
Opera Holland Park is renowned for its diverse programming, and its 2019 season is no exception: running from now until mid-August are two shows – Cilea’s L’arlesiana and a double bill of Wolf-Ferrari’s Susanna’s Secret and Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta. The purpose-built, bespoke, canopied auditorium has 1,000 exceptionally comfortable seats, as well as first rate acoustics and technical facilities to ensure the sound is of the highest quality. With performances finishing no later than 10:30pm, and each including a 30-minute interval, Opera Holland Park’s productions are accessible to both long-standing opera-lovers and those experiencing opera for the first time.
The company has rightly earned an international reputation: its first commissioned family opera, 2013’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, transferred to the Royal Opera House; its Young Artists Scheme nurtures promising young talent; and, offering free tickets to under 18s, it does much to promote the affordability and accessibility of opera to a new generation. Bars and restaurants open two hours before the performances, so there’s plenty of time to grab a bite to eat before the show; or, if you’d rather bring your own food, why not book a picnic table to make the most of the summer evening?
Opera Holland Park is located less than a mile away, so the Mercure Kensington is the perfect place to stay to maximise your time in its beautiful setting. Enjoy a gentle stroll there and back, ensuring a stress-free end to a wonderful evening!
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