BAREFOOT OPERA’s vibrant, energised new production pulls at the heart strings with a dynamic take on Verdi’s classic tale of love, loss and sacrifice in this years Young Artists Tour – La Traviata.

Living life on her own terms, glamorous Violetta falls in love with the young poet Alfredo. But their intoxicating romance takes a devastating turn when Violetta’s past life catches up with her, and she’s forced to sacrifice what may be her only chance of real love. And as Violetta battles a serious illness…will it be too late?

BAREFOOT OPERA’s ensemble-style production brings the story of La Traviata bang up to date, and demonstrates why it is one of the most popular operas of all time.

With young co-directors Michael Spenceley and Alfie Chesney at the helm, Verdi’s riveting tale of scandal, forbidden relationships and damaged reputations is brought to life with physical theatre, choreography and dynamic staging. An impressive, young international cast, with accompaniment from the BAREFOOT BAND (piano, clarinet, double bass and accordion) brings our signature twist to Verdi’s memorable, ravishing music. And with people from choirs and schools all over Kent, Sussex and London taking part on stage alongside the professionals, this is an opera for us all to enjoy!

Join us on our 12 night tour across the South East and London this summer!

This year’s Young Artist Tour of La Traviata is BAREFOOT OPERA’s biggest yet. Opening in St. Leonards-on-sea on June 21^st, we then move on to the spectacular Crowhurst Place for an outdoor performance following our sell-out show there last year, then onto Rye and Findon Place for the first time.

The tour resumes in September with dates in Lamberhurst and Maidenhead, four shows at the Arcola Theatre in London, as well as our first show in Brighton. We hope to see you there!

• St. John’s the Evangelist, St. Leonards-on-sea – Friday 21^st June (featuring Voiceworks choir and Bexhill College)
• Crowhurst Place, Lingfield – Saturday 22^nd June (outdoor performance featuring East Grinstead Choral Society and Imberhorne School)
• Rye Creative Centre, East Sussex – Saturday 29^th June (featuring the Marsh Choir)
• Findon Place, West Sussex – Friday 19^th July (outdoor performance)
• Down House, Lamberhurst – Saturday 14^th September (with Tunbridge Wells Choral Society)
• Norden Farm, Maidenhead Music Society, Maidenhead – Tuesday 17^th September
• St. Michael and All Angels, Brighton – Saturday 21^st September (with Brighton and Hove 6^th Form College TBC and choir TBC)
• Grimeborn Festival, Arcola Theatre, Dalston – 24th-28^th September (with Hackney Voices)
• Wooburn Festival, Bourne End – Saturday 5^th October

Zoe Ashdown will be singing latino influenced  jazz  music, and soprano Kristina Nikiforova with pianist Satoshi Kubo will offer a mixed programme including Spanish zarzuelas ( a kind of sexy spanish operetta) tocreate a party atmosphere in the garden and the Music Room at the Uplands. 

Tickets are £25, and include a cocktail or a beer, aperitivos and music.
     (There will also be a bar available) 
¡Olé! 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘A delightful feast of vocal virtuosity and comic verve’ (The Stage)

In 2023 we went on tour with our sparkling production of Rossini’s La Cenerentola (Cinderella). Expect all the hallmarks of a Barefoot Opera show: a dynamic international cast of young singers, a small on-stage band delivering the score, and a contemporary take on a classic tale.

Directors: Jenny Miller and Michael Spenceley

Performed in italian with surtitles in english.

Rossini’s delicious and charmingly comic La Cenerentola, or Cinderella, is a more humanist than magic tale. 

The Prince of the fairytale realm, Ramiro, is seeking a woman “innocent and good”, and orders his court advisor, Alidoro, to disguise himself as a tramp and test out the ladies in Don Magnifico’s house.  Here we find that only Cinderella will help the poor beggar – her sisters and father are far too self centred, conceited and generally on the make to take time for a vagabond. 

It is this same Alidoro who will kit out Cinders in all the finery she needs for the ball, and help her escape before her family detect her.  She leaves behind a bracelet rather than the traditional shoe, and this bracelet will lead to her reunion with her Prince.  Meanwhile, the sisters and father have been further deceived; the Prince and his valet Dandini had swapped places, and they had spent the opera oleaginously making up to a mere servant.

In our version, we update the comedy. Cinderella’s sisters and their status-obsessed dad trash the earth’s resources, and generally exhibit callous indifference to their environment. The two sisters are heavily preoccupied with their roles as influencers on social media,  and their idiotic iPhone messages are exposed.