William Walton’s witty one-act opera, The Bear, was adapted from Chekhov’s comedy of the same name. The piece centres on widow Popova (Clare Presland) who – locking herself inside her country house – vows to surrender her happiness in a show of devotion to her late husband. But when Smirnov (Richard Burkhard) arrives to demand payment for her husband’s debts, a heated argument is turned on its head as he and Popova fall furiously in love, to the astonishment of Popova’s servant, Luka (John Savournin).

Filmed and recorded live on location over two days in April 2021, the production is conducted by John Andrews and directed by John Wilkie, with designs by takis and photography by Simon Wall.

The Bear is available to watch on our website on 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 November at 7.30pm, with additional matinee screenings on 12 and 13 November at 1pm. Book tickets and find out more.