INDEPENDENT OPERA at Sadler's Wells was founded in 2005 to serve as a London platform for outstanding young artists in every discipline of opera production. The creative team comprises award-winning graduates of London's top art and design schools, whilst singers are selected from alumni of the National Opera Studio, the Royal College of Music, the Royal Academy of Music, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.
Every year since 2005 Independent Opera has presented one major new production at the Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler's Wells. In addition, in June 2008, musical extracts of our 2006 production of Handel’s Orlando were presented in concert at Wigmore Hall. A CD release by Chandos of Maconchy’s The Sofa and The Departure is planned for early 2009. The current run of Pelléas et Mélisande completes our four-year cycle of full scale opera productions.
INDEPENDENT OPERA Artist Support, created in 2007, is a comprehensive programme of scholarships, fellowships, partnerships and patronage designed to complement and continue the work of INDEPENDENT OPERA by providing ongoing financial assistance to young professionals involved at all levels in the production of opera. The programme of scholarships and fellowships—available to singers, directors and designers—is an integral component of IO’s objective: to give those involved in the staging and production of opera the support they need at the outset of their careers.
Registered Charity no. 1117559