New Opera Company
| Company type | Opera company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Performing arts |
| Founded | 1956 |
| Founder | Leon Lovett, Peter Hemmings, Brian Trowell |
| Defunct | 1984 |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom |
Key people | Anthony Besch (Director of Productions), Edmund Tracey (board member), Jeremy Caulton (general manager) |
| Products | Opera productions, premieres and revivals of operatic repertoire |
The New Opera Company was a British opera troupe operating from 1956 until 1984, primarily situated at London's Sadler's Wells Theatre. In later years, it collaborated with the English National Opera. The company was known for both premiering and reviving important operatic repertoire.
History
Initially established as the Cambridge University opera group in 1956, it adopted the name New Opera Company in 1957. Its founding figures included conductor Leon Lovett, administrator Peter Hemmings, and musicologist Brian Trowell. Early productions attracted critical acclaim; for example, Andrew Porter commended Lovett’s direction and Trowell’s staging of The Rake's Progress, while the company's rendition of A Tale of Two Cities was described as "spirited and effective". Between 1957 and 1967, the company maintained a close working relationship with Sadler's Wells Opera, sharing resources and artists.
During the early 1970s, financial support notably increased from the Arts Council and the Greater London Council. In 1971, Charles Mackerras and Anthony Besch joined its artistic advisory panel.
By 1973, under the leadership of Anthony Besch as Director of Productions, the company had staged 34 operas, including 13 world premieres and 12 British premieres, showcasing works by twelve British composers. Although its primary base was London, it occasionally presented independent productions outside the city. The company also specialized in small-scale music theatre pieces by composers such as Elisabeth Lutyens, Nicola LeFanu, John Harbison, and Brian Howard.
That same year, collaboration with English National Opera was revitalized; Edmund Tracey became a board member and Jeremy Caulton took on the role of general manager. After many years of cooperation with ENO, a joint production with Opera North was realized in October 1984, performed both in Leeds and London.
Following the withdrawal of funding from the Arts Council as recommended by 'The Glory of the Garden' report, the company ceased operations after 1984. According to The New Grove Dictionary of Opera, its legacy remains unmatched in London opera for introducing new works delivered with exceptional artistry.
Repertory
The company focused on staging uncommon operas, frequently showcasing British or world debuts:
- The Rake's Progress (1957) London debut
- A Tale of Two Cities (Arthur Benjamin) (1957) first full production
- Sir John in Love (Vaughan Williams) (1958)
- Lord Bateman (Arnold Foster) (1958) inaugural performance
- Der Revisor (Egk) (1958) British debut
- Il prigioniero (1959) first British staging
- Die Kluge (Orff) (1959)
- The Diary of a Madman (Humphrey Searle) (1960)
- Volpone (Francis Burt) (1961) British premiere
- The Departure (Elizabeth Maconchy) (1962) initial presentation
- Boulevard Solitude (Henze) (1962) first UK production
- The Wager (Buxton Orr) (1962) premiere
- The Knife (Daniel Jones) (1963) debut staging
- Tartuffe (Arthur Benjamin) (1964) first performance
- The Fiery Angel (1965) UK premiere
- The What d'ye call-it (Phyllis Tate) (1966) premiere production
- The Decision (Thea Musgrave) (1967) initial staging
- Cardillac (Hindemith) (1970) British debut
- The Scene-Machine (Anthony Gilbert) (1972)
- The Nose Shostakovich (1973) UK premiere, later aired on broadcast
- Arden Must Die Goehr (1974) British first performance
- King Roger Szymanowski (1975) UK debut
- Bomarzo (Ginastera) (1976) British premiere
- Julietta (Martinů) (1978) first UK production
- Il cappello di paglia di Firenze (Rota) (1980)
- Inner Voices (Brian Howard) 1983 premiere
- A Full Moon in March (John Harbison) 1983 staging
- Jonny spielt auf (Krenek) 1984