# OperaUpClose

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Opera company in the UK

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**OperaUpClose** is a national touring [opera company](/source/Opera_company), led by Artistic Director [Flora McIntosh](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Flora_McIntosh&action=edit&redlink=1), The company was founded in 2009 to produce its début production, [Robin Norton-Hale](/source/Robin_Norton-Hale)'s [Olivier Award](/source/Olivier_Award)-winning adaptation of [Puccini](/source/Puccini)'s *[La bohème](/source/La_boh%C3%A8me)* at [The Cock Tavern Theatre](/source/The_Cock_Tavern_Theatre).[1]

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 successful in runs for extended periods and has transferred to a West End location. Since being founded in 2009, OperaUpClose has produced thirty-eight operas: including six world premieres of contemporary operas, 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 their world premiere of The Blank Canvas won the 2015 Off West End Award for Best Opera.[2]

Between 2010 and 2015, OperaUpClose was the resident company at [The King's Head Theatre](/source/The_King's_Head_Theatre) in Islington.[3] From that date "the company will work in a variety of larger venues in London, including [Kings Place](/source/Kings_Place), [Soho Theatre](/source/Soho_Theatre) and [Tricycle Theatre](/source/Tricycle_Theatre), and further develop its touring output across the UK."[4] The company is an Associate Company of [Soho Theatre](/source/Soho_Theatre)[5] and co-produces with the Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Tricycle Theatre, Kings Place and Malmö Opera (Sweden).

In 2014 OperaUpClose began operating as a charity. The company ended its residency at the King's Head Theatre in 2015. In April 2023 OperaUpClose joined Arts Council England National Funding Portfolio.

## *La bohème*

*La bohème* opened on 8 December 2009 and ran for five months, making it the longest-running continuously performed production of that opera.[6] The production was noted for its relocation of the audience to the pub area of The Cock Tavern for the second act, described by George Hall in *The Guardian* as "a masterstroke to transfer the Café Momus scene downstairs – to the bar – where it becomes impossible to be sure who is a member of the chorus and who is an innocent bystander having a drink."[7][8]

The OperaUpClose *La bohème* transferred to the Soho Theatre for a 6-week run from 27 July 2010 (followed by a further 6-week run in January/February 2011) and was the first opera to play at the theatre. The production won the 2011 [Olivier Award](/source/Olivier_Award) for best new opera production.[9] and the 2011 [Whatsonstage.com Awards](/source/Whatsonstage.com_Awards) for Best Off-West End Production.[10] *La bohème* was revived in 2012 for a 3-month run at the [Charing Cross Theatre](/source/Charing_Cross_Theatre), at the [Ravenna Festival](/source/Ravenna_Festival) in Italy in 2014 and continues to tour.

## 2015 season onwards

In 2015 OperaUpClose presented the world premiere of *Unborn in America* by composer Luke Styles and librettist Peter Cant, as part of the Vault Festival; revived their production of [Verdi](/source/Verdi)'s [La Traviata](/source/La_Traviata) at [Tricycle Theatre](/source/Tricycle_Theatre); opened a new production of [Bizet](/source/Bizet)'s [Carmen](/source/Carmen) at [Soho Theatre](/source/Soho_Theatre); presented the World Premiere of Anthony Young and Leanna Brodie's family opera *Ulla's Odyssey* at [Kings Place](/source/Kings_Place); and continued to tour the UK with their production of [Mozart](/source/Mozart)'s [The Marriage of Figaro](/source/The_Marriage_of_Figaro).

In 2016 OperaUpClose created their first education and participation programme. Partnering with Theatre in Education company, Big Wheel, and funded by [Arts Council England](/source/Arts_Council_England), they created a series of workshops that tour with their children's opera, *Ulla's Odyssey*.

## Past productions outside the standard repertory

- *[Manifest Destiny](/source/Manifest_Destiny)* by [Keith Burstein](/source/Keith_Burstein), directed by Valentina Ceschi at King's Head Theatre[11] (2011)

- *[The Turn of the Screw](/source/The_Turn_of_the_Screw)* by [Benjamin Britten](/source/Benjamin_Britten), directed by [Edward Dick](/source/Edward_Dick) at King's Head Theatre[12] (2011)

- *[L'incoronazione di Poppea](/source/L'incoronazione_di_Poppea)* by [Claudio Monteverdi](/source/Claudio_Monteverdi), directed by [Mark Ravenhill](/source/Mark_Ravenhill) at King's Head Theatre (2011)

- *[La Fanciulla del West](/source/La_Fanciulla_del_West)* by [Giacomo Puccini](/source/Giacomo_Puccini), directed by [Robert Chevara](/source/Robert_Chevara) at King's Head Theatre (2012)[13]

- *[Two Caravans](/source/Two_Caravans)* by Guy Harries, directed by Vincent van den Elshout at King's Head Theatre (2013)

- *The Blank Canvas* (World premiere) by Spyros Syrmos, directed by Lucy Bradley at King's Head Theatre (2014)

- *[Dido and Aeneas](/source/Dido_and_Aeneas)* by [Henry Purcell](/source/Henry_Purcell), directed by Valentina Caschi at King's Head Theatre (2014)

- *Young Wife* (World première) by Katarzyna Brochocka, directed by Robin Norton-Hale at King's Head Theatre (2014)

- *Unborn in America* (World premiere) created by composer Luke Styles and director-librettist Peter Cant, presented by Ensemble Amorpha and OperaUpClose at the Vault Festival (2015)

## Flourish

Flourish is OperaUpClose's opera writing competition, supported by [Arts Council England](/source/Arts_Council_England).[3] The competition aims to provide a platform for emerging and established composers and librettists, and to raise awareness of contemporary opera. The winning opera is produced in full by OperaUpClose. Previous judges have included [Mark Ravenhill](/source/Mark_Ravenhill), [Opera Holland Park](/source/Opera_Holland_Park) producer James Clutton, [Glyn Maxwell](/source/Glyn_Maxwell), [Robert Saxton](/source/Robert_Saxton), Imogen Tilden, Luke Styles, Anna Pickard and Clare Presland.

The 2012 winner was *Two Caravans* by composer Guy Harries and librettist Ace McCarron. The 2013 winner, *The Blank Canvas*, was written by composer Spyros Syrmos from a libretto by Fay Wrixon. *Ulla's Odyssey* by composer Anthony Young and librettist Leanna Brodie won in 2014.

Last year's[*[when?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items)*] winner, *They Came Back*, tells the stories of five individuals struggling to come to terms with dead people returning to life.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Moss, Stephen (15 December 2009). ["Opera has the last shout as *Boheme* hits the boozer"](http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/arts/opera-has-the-last-shout-as-boheme-hits-the-boozer/2009/12/14/1260639169627.html). *The Sydney Morning Herald*. Retrieved 27 May 2010. (reprinted from *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*, 3 December 2009)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["OffWestEnd.com – The_offies_photos_2015 – The definitive guide to London's Off West End theatre scene, featuring listings and details for over 80 theatres, news, discussion and exclusive special offers"](http://www.offwestend.com/index.php/pages/the_offies_photos_2015). *offwestend.com*. Retrieved 5 December 2016.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Mortimer_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Mortimer_3-1) Mortimer, p. 14

1. **[^](#cite_ref-TILDEN_4-0)** Imogen Tilden (25 September 2014), ["OperaUpClose to leave King's Head, Islington, for fresh challenges"](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/sep/25/operaupclose-to-leave-kings-head-islington), *The Guardian* (London)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["OperaUpClose" – brief overview](http://sohotheatre.com/about-us/soho-theatre-associates/associate-companies/operaupclose/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150123133800/http://sohotheatre.com/about-us/soho-theatre-associates/associate-companies/operaupclose/) 23 January 2015 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) on sohotheatre.com

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Woolman_6-0)** Woolman, Natalie (12 March 2010). ["OperaUpClose's *La Bohème* to open at the Soho Theatre"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110611134124/http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/27519/operaupcloses-la-boheme-to-open-at-the-soho). *The Stage*. Archived from [the original](http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/27519/operaupcloses-la-boheme-to-open-at-the-soho) on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** George Hall, ["*La boheme* Cock Tavern, London"](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/jan/07/la-boheme-operaupclose-review), *The Guardian* (London), 7 January 2010

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Puccini's *La bohème* performed in London pub"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121114073325/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newsvideo/6808301/Puccinis-La-Boheme-performed-in-London-pub.html). London: Telegraph TV. 14 December 2009. Archived from [the original](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newsvideo/6808301/Puccinis-La-Boheme-performed-in-London-pub.html) on 14 November 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [Laurence Olivier Awards](/source/Laurence_Olivier_Award)' (official website) [List of winner 2011](http://www.olivierawards.com/nominations/list-of-winners/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Full List: 2011 Whatsonstage.com Award Winners"](http://www.whatsonstage.com/west-end-theatre/news/02-2011/full-list-2011-whatsonstagecom-award-winners_9931.html), 20 February 2011 on whatsonstage.com

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Katy S. Austin, ["*Manifest Destiny* 2011"](http://www.bachtrack.com/review-manifest-destiny-opera-upclose) on bachtrack.com, 12 September 2011 Review]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** George Hall, [*Turn of the Screw*-review"](https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2011/jul/08/turn-of-the-screw-review), *The Guardian* (London) 8 July 2011

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Rupert Christiansen, ["*La Fanciulla del West*, Opera UpClose, and *La Traviata*, Merry Opera Company, review"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/opera/9075136/La-Fanciulla-del-West-Opera-UpClose-and-La-Traviata-Merry-Opera-Company-review.html), *The Telegraph* (London), 10 February 2012

## Further reading

- Mortimer, Owen, "Company of the Month: OperaUpClose", *Opera Now* (London), December 2012, p. 14

## External links

- [OperaUpClose official website](http://www.operaupclose.com)

- Moss, Stephen, ["OperaUpClose: Puccini in the pub"](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/dec/03/operaupclose-puccini-pub), *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*, 3 December 2009 (contains production photos)

- Shore, Robert, ["OperaUpClose takes Puccini to a pub. Now that really is bohemian"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110615073958/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/opera/article6966749.ece), *[The Times](/source/The_Times)*, 27 December 2009

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [OperaUpClose](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OperaUpClose) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OperaUpClose?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.