Nevill Holt Opera (NHO) has confirmed that this year’s summer festival – due to take place at the Leicestershire-based opera house from June – won’t run as planned as coronavirus tightens its grip on the UK.
In line with government instructions and other music festivals across the UK, the organisers have taken what they describe as a difficult decision to postpone the event. In a statement, Managing Director Annie Lydford and Artistic Director Nicholas Chalmers said: “We can’t predict what the situation will be in June, but official advice makes clear that it is very unlikely that we would be able to safely continue with our festival this summer.”
The programme was set to present two of the world’s most beloved operas, with new productions of La traviata (The Fallen Woman, Verdi, 1853) and Don Giovanni (Mozart, 1787). In addition, the theatre was to host Catskill Jazz Factory’s The Spirit of Harlem, a breathtaking celebration of jazz performed by a 10-piece ensemble led by chart-topping trumpeter Dominick Farinacci.
As a small festival with no public subsidy, this postponement could have a significant impact on the young artists and staff who were committed to the festival. NHO is looking at ways in which to support them during what was described as a “challenging time”. The organisers are working to bring some events and performances to the theatre later in the year and both La traviata and Don Giovanni will form part of the 2021 summer festival.
All ticket-holders will be contacted regarding refunds.
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Nevill Holt Opera will not be opening its doors this June as the summer festival is called off due to Covid-19 (Robert Workman).