The Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra has announced the creation of a new opera company, Oxford International Opera, marking a significant expansion of its artistic scope. The company will debut with a fully staged production of Tosca on 24 and 26 September 2026 at the New Theatre in Oxford.
The initiative is led by OPO Music Director Marios Papadopoulos and bass-baritone Bryn Terfel, who assumes the role of Artistic Director for the new venture.
A structural step beyond the concert platform
Founded in 1998, the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra has developed a distinct position within the British orchestral landscape, combining symphonic programming with regular collaborations with international soloists. Based in Oxford and closely connected to the city’s academic environment, the orchestra has built its profile primarily through concert activity at venues such as the Sheldonian Theatre.
The creation of Oxford International Opera represents a structural shift from concert presentation into full-scale staged opera production — a move that places the ensemble in a broader institutional context within the UK’s operatic ecosystem.
An international cast for the inaugural production
The debut production of Tosca will feature Terfel as Scarpia, alongside Carmen Giannattasio in the title role and Saimir Pirgu as Cavaradossi. The cast also includes Jamie Woollard (Angelotti), Fabio Previati (Sacristan), Colin Judson (Spoletta), and Steffan Lloyd Owen (Sciarrone).
Papadopoulos conducts the performances, with staging by P Burton-Morgan. The creative team includes designer Anthony Lamble, lighting designer Tim Mitchell and producer Anthony Flaum. The production is supported by the Laidlaw Opera Trust.
Positioning Oxford within the operatic landscape
Choosing Puccini’s Tosca for the company’s inaugural statement aligns the new institution with core Italian repertoire while signalling ambition through high-profile casting. Terfel’s involvement, in particular, lends immediate international visibility to the project.
Whether Oxford International Opera develops into a sustained fixture within the UK’s operatic calendar will depend on future programming and institutional continuity. Its launch, however, marks a notable development for the city’s cultural life and for the Oxford Philharmonic’s artistic trajectory.
Performances take place on 24 and 26 September 2026 at 19:00 at the New Theatre, Oxford. Ticket sales are expected to open later this month.
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