OHP’s International Opera Award-winning education and outreach Inspire project runs all year round, bringing opera to people who are otherwise unable to experience live performance, and working with young people and families to open up the art form. The company’s ambition is to reach an audience that fully reflects the diversity of London.

Opera on Film will make films of our productions freely available to hospitals, care homes, hospices, shelters and schools in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and the City of Westminster, in a variety of formats.

Launching with the acclaimed 2019 production of Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera, directed by Rodula Gatainou and conducted by Matthew Kofi Waldren, Opera on Film will be made available with surtitles to increase accessibility and understanding, and will be complemented by interviews with the creative teams.

As with OHP’s Schools’ Matinee performances of La traviata (2018) and Un ballo in maschera (2019), an education resource pack will be provided. Support will also be provided for care homes, hospices, shelters and hospitals from OHP’s Inspire team and the OHP Young Artists.

OHP has been addressing social exclusion since 2005. With Opera on Film, the company will be able to include those who are unable to attend the theatre among the members of its audience. This vital community initiative is launched in partnership with the company’s resident orchestra, City of London Sinfonia.

Opera Holland Park’s Director of Opera, James Clutton says: “As a company we are constantly striving to bring the community to opera and to take opera to the community. I am proud and delighted that Opera on Film will bring us closer to our audience.”

I have been a fan of Opera Holland Park for many years and I particularly love the way they play their part in the wider community. They are truly passionate about engaging hearts and minds, bringing new people to opera and blowing their minds with world-class productions. My daughter and her Year 5 classmates had never been to the opera before OHP staged a special Schools’ Matinee performance of La traviata. To see 30 state school kids cheering at the curtain call like they were at an Ariana Grande gig was beyond brilliant. A new generation of opera-lovers was born that day. Well done, OHP!

Suzy Klein, BBC Radio 3/BBC Four

Having worked with Opera Holland Park for many years, Age UK Kensington & Chelsea knows the difference that music can make to individuals who are at risk of social exclusion. We are delighted to support Opera on Film and welcome Opera Holland Park’s latest efforts to reach an audience that might otherwise be unable to enjoy the experience of opera.

Ximena Chiesa, Age UK Kensington & Chelsea

Opera on Film will be available from autumn 2019

Contact Inspire on inspire@operahollandpark.com if you would like to order Opera on Film for your hospital, care home, hospice, shelter or school.