Independent Opera

Who We Are

Founded in 2005, Independent Opera at Sadler’s Wells is recognised as a serious contributor in the support and development of exceptional opera artists. We empower artists to develop their talent at significant moments in their careers by offering financial support, mentoring and performance experience.

Central to our vision is a comprehensive programme of artist support, conceived to give artists financial and professional mentoring support, access to practical advice from a network of professionals and stage experience. Designed to develop individual talent, the programme of scholarships, fellowships and patronage, has awarded 130 grants to artists in the fields of singing, directing, design, choreography and production. Sponsorship of the Wigmore Hall/Independent Opera International Song Competition from 2019 further supports this vision by showcasing rising talent on the concert stage.

On the stage, an annual Scholar’s Recital at Wigmore Hall showcases the talents of our scholars who perform a broad repertoire of song and opera, and new commissions by contemporary composers including Ēriks Ešenvalds and Elena Langer. A major new Independent Opera commission from Joby Talbot, the cantata A Sheen of Dew on Flowers, premiered at Barbican Hall and was broadcast on Classic FM in 2019, in collaboration with Britten Sinfonia and Britten Sinfonia Voices.

Independent Opera’s productions have provided young directors, designers, singers, musicians and those behind the scenes with invaluable experience in new productions of well- and lesser-known operas including a double bill of Elizabeth Maconchy’s The Sofa and The Departure and a new chamber orchestration of Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande, directed by founding Artistic Director Alessandro Talevi. The UK premières of Šimon Voseček’s Biedermann and the Arsonists and Karl Amadeus Hartmann’s Simplicius Simplicissimus were directed by Max Hoehn and Polly Graham, recipients of the IO Director Fellowship award.