Nevill Holt Opera is planning two different scenarios in order to bring back its Summer Opera Festival for June 2021. The opera house, based in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, had to cancel the 2020 event due to Covid-19 restrictions.
In a statement, the opera house said that if minimum social-distancing regulations are in place, then performances would return to its award-winning theatre. The 400-seat venue is housed in a converted 17th-century stable block and has hosted Nevill Holt’s annual festival since 2018, when it opened with a performance of Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro, 1784).
However, should stricter coronavirus restrictions still be required, the festival will take place in a special new outdoor venue with a bespoke stage and a mix of covered and uncovered seating.
A spokesperson for Nevill Holt commented: “We are really excited about the potential for both options, and know that whatever the case next summer we will be delighted to be back, presenting a fantastic month of opera.”
The full line-up for the festival is yet to be confirmed. However, two well-known favourites are already on the programme. Performances of Verdi’s La traviata (The Fallen Woman, 1853) are set to take place on 9, 10, 12, 13 and 15 June, while Mozart’s Don Giovanni (1787) will run on 24, 26, 27, 29 and 30 June. Information on additional performances will be released soon.
Booking for the summer festival will open towards the end of February and anyone with a credit note from last year’s cancelled performances will be contacted to ensure advance allocation of tickets.
Verdi’s La traviata will make up part of the programme of Nevill Holt’s Summer Opera Festival in June 2021.