CUOS EASTER TERM SHOW 2026: PETER HUGH WHITE'S ROSALIND |
We’re thrilled to announce that CUOS will stage the premiere of Peter Hugh White’s Rosalind as our Easter Term Show in 2026!
Rosalind explores the life and work of physicist Rosalind Franklin, and her contribution to Watson and Crick’s 1953 discovery of the double helix structure of DNA. Perhaps more importantly, it examines the difficulties of being a female scientist in the 1950s. You can learn more about the opera – and listen to a podcast recorded by the composer and librettist – by visiting the ‘Lost Women of Science’ website. We're currently looking for cast members/an AMD: visit the application packs here for more information! |
CUOS SHORTS 2026: APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR COMPOSERS/LIBRETTISTS |
After the success of last year’s production — featuring brand-new chamber operas by Stefan Wilkinson-Hill, Phillip Matty, and Marcus Budack — we’re on the lookout for Cambridge student composers and librettists to create our next set of opera shorts.
This is your chance to showcase your composition skills, collaborate with fellow student creatives, and see your work premiered in Trinity College Chapel, a prestigious and atmospheric venue for musical performance. The deadline for applications is the 24th October (NB: you don't have to have written your opera by this date!). Visit our 'Get Involved' page for more information, or to access the application pack. |
MICHAELMAS SHOW 2025 ANNOUNCED/MAINSHOW UPDATE |
CUOS' Michaelmas Show 2025 will be Gustav Holst's Sāvitri - an epic opera, in more ways than one! Find out more about the travails of the princess Savitri and her lover Satyavān, and book your tickets, via this link.
Meanwhile, applications to stage our Mainshow 2026 remain open, on a rolling basis! Please don't hesitate to get in contact if you'd like any assistance or advice. |
POPPEA VIDEO NOW AVAILABLE TO STREAM |
Watch the recording on YouTube below:
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APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR MICHAELMAS AND MAINSHOWS (2025/2026) |
CUOS is now accepting applications to stage our Michaelmas Show 2025 and Mainshow 2026. Those interested in applying can find more information on our 'Get Involved' page. Please feel free to contact the committee at [email protected] with any questions!
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RAVE REVIEWS FOR POPPEA |
Our 2025 Mainshow, Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea, received 4.5 star reviews from Varsity and external reviewers after a successful run this week. Reviewer Leon Rake described the show as 'visually [...] stunning', 'sheer beauty', and 'a production that balanced grand spectacle with emotional intimacy'. Read all about it below:
L’incoronazione di Poppea: lessons in power and patience | Varsity Poppea Crowned: A Crowning Achievement of Student Theatre |
★★★ FOR ORPHEUS IN THE UNDERWORLD |
Reviewer Eliza Ousey wrote that 'whilst unpolished in places, CUOS’s version - directed by Max Mason, music directed by Sam Gray - fully captured the opera’s playful essence.' Read more below:
Orpheus in the Underworld soars | Varsity |
★★★★ FOR THE MAGIC FLUTE |
Varsity praised CUOS’s staging of The Magic Flute (Mainshow 2023) as “a wonderful evening filled with songs, tales of love, tribulation, and the redeeming magic of music”. Toby Stinson notes how “the cast guide the narrative through delicate sorrows to defiant valour and melodies of love”, capturing both emotional depth and musical precision.
The Magic Flute Review: CUOS opera showcases the magic of music | Varsity |
DENIS AND KATYA STUNS AUDIENCES |
Reviewer Benji de Almeida Newton described Denis and Katya (Michaelmas Show 2021) as “one of the most moving productions of any kind” seen at Cambridge. Under Oscar Simms’ direction, the production “captivated the audience’s attention” with its “clear emotional arcs” and seamless technical design. A must-see example of Cambridge opera at its most ambitious and harrowing.
Denis and Katya: Inescapably compelling and harrowing | Varsity |
★★★★ FOR LA CENERENTOLA |
Cambridge University Opera Society's production of La Cenerentola, writes reviewer Iulia Marin, offers a vibrant and inventive take on the beloved fairytale. Set in 1950s Rome and inspired by Roman Holiday, the performance challenged traditional stereotypes, presenting a Cinderella who is "not just humble but full of energy and ambition."
La Cenerentola is a refreshing re-imagining of a familiar tale | Varsity |
2020/21 MICHAELMAS SHOW AND MAINSHOW ANNOUNCED |
Our Michaelmas Show 2020/21 will be the chamber opera Denis & Katya by Philip Venables and Ted Huffman, whilst our Mainshow will be Carl Maria von Weber's German Romantic classic Der Freischütz.
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APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR MICHAELMAS AND MAINSHOW 2020 |
CUOS is now accepting applications for potential Michaelmas Shows AND the Mainshow 2020. Those interested in applying can find out more on the 'Get Involved' page. We encourage anybody interested in being involved in putting on a show to contact the committee with any questions.
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MAY WEEK SHOW: THE TWIN BROTHERS |
Our May Week show this year will be Schubert's The Twin Brothers, performed in English on Saturday 15th June at the Cambridge Union. Audition information coming soon.
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★★★★½ REVIEW FOR CARMEN |
Our Lent 2019 Mainshow Carmen was described by Varsity as 'captivating from beginning to end'. As both the Director and the Musical Director are committee members, CUOS is especially delighted that this production did so very well. Read all about it here.
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IL SIGNOR BRUSCHINO TO HEAD TO EDINBURGH |
★★★★★ FOR IL SIGNOR BRUSCHINO |
Congratulations to the cast and team behind our Michaelmas production of Rossini's Il Signor Bruschino, which received a five star review from the Tab. The show was described as a 'truly magnificent production...not to be missed'.
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MICHAELMAS SHOW 2018, IL SIGNOR BRUSCHINO: TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW! |
Our Michaelmas show, Rossini's Il Signor Bruschino, will be performed from the 19th to the 21st November at 8:30pm in Emmanuel College Chapel. A libretto is provided in the ticket price.
Tickets £12/£10/£6 https://operasoc.tessera.info/ |
MOZART DOUBLE BILL: BASTIEN UND BASTIENNE/ DER SCHAUSPIELDIREKTOR |
CUOS is delighted to announce that two of its Junior Committee, Eleanor Burke and Oliver Cope, will be staging a double-bill of two rarely performed Mozart Operas with Trinity College Music Society.
8:00pm, Tue 13th November 2018 at Trinity College Chapel. Tickets on the door: £8/£5/Free for TCMS members |
MAY WEEK SHOW: BERNSTEIN'S TROUBLE IN TAHITI |
CUOS is excited to announce that this term's May Week Show will be Leonard Bernstein's Trouble in Tahiti, taking place at 2:30pm & 7:30pm on Friday 15th June 2018 in the Frankopan Hall, Jesus College. Stay tuned for updates on where you can get your tickets!
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★★★★½ FOR DONIZETTI'S L'ELISIR D'AMORE |
Congratulations to the cast and crew of our 2018 Mainshow, Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore, which was greatly enjoyed by all who came. The opera received a particularly glowing review from Varsity, who noted that it was a "sentimental and superbly executed show – what more could any opera lover possibly ask for?", with The Daily Express also remarking the production was "outstanding and far, far better than one expected".
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ANNOUNCING OUR 2018 LENT MAINSHOW |
CUOS is delighted to announce our Lent mainshow will be Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore. Performances will be held from the 22nd to the 24th February 2018 in West Road Concert Hall, with Edward Reeve as Music Director, and Judith Lebiez as Director. The Mainshow represents CUOS' largest project of the academic year, providing an extremely exciting opportunity for students at all stages in their operatic careers to work at a large scale and in a professional venue. More information on this entertaining production will be available soon!
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2017 CUOS GALA CONCERT |
On the 16th November, we were thrilled to host a second Gala Concert. After drinks and canapés in the beautiful surroundings of Emmanuel College Old Library, the gala began in the Queen’s Building, with students past and present, accompanied by Edward Reeve, performing operatic ensemble and solo favourites ranging from Handel to Verdi and Mozart to Puccini. A particular highlight was a sneak peak at next term's Mainshow, Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore, with two of the principals performing a duet from the show.
The Society is grateful to our president Dame Fiona Reynolds for hosting the evening, and to an anonymous donor who generously covered the costs of funding this gala. Thank you to everyone who attended for supporting us! |
2017 MICHAELMAS SHOW: HOLST'S SAVITRI |
Can one woman outwit even Death? From the 8th to the 11th November at 11pm, the ADC Theatre was transformed into an opera house for Holst's Savitri, a late night dramatic retelling of an ancient Sanskrit epic. The production received 8/10 from The Cambridge Student, and a 4-star review from Varsity: congratulations to all involved in making the venture such a success!
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2017 MICHAELMAS SHOW: HANDEL'S RADAMISTO |
On the 27th and 28th October, Trinity Chapel played host to a dramatic retelling of Handel's Radamisto, a tale of lust, intrigue, and reconciliation between warring dynasties (led by Frankie Postles and Jack Hawkins) set in Classical Thrace. Particularly striking were the costumes and make up (designed by Gwen Davis), which drew on baroque and steampunk influences, amongst others: check out our Gallery for highlights. Congratulations to the cast, crew, and orchestra on pulling off such an achievement in just under three weeks!
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2017 MAY WEEK SHOW: BERKELEY'S A DINNER ENGAGEMENT |
The 24th June saw the Fitzpatrick Theatre of Queens' College transformed into a kitchen for CUOS' production of Berkeley's A Dinner Engagement. A light-hearted story, perfect for a hot summer's day, saw the impoverished Earl and Countess of Dunmow (Louis Wilson and Anita Monserrat) attempt to cook a meal whilst attempting to set their daughter (Eleanor Burke) up with a visiting prince. Congratulations to the cast and crew on a hilarious show that left the audience in fits of laughter!
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★★★★★ FOR THE RAKE'S PROGRESS |
Congratulations to all the cast and crew of our 2017 Mainshow, Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress! We were thrilled to receive a 5-star review from Cambridge Theatre Review, and a 9/10 review from The Cambridge Student. As said by CTR, "Excellent performances from all those onstage, a fantastic orchestra and deft direction and design make this show unique and highly memorable".
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2017 MAINSHOW: STRAVINSKY'S THE RAKE'S PROGRESS |
We are thrilled to announce that our Mainshow this year will be Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress. With performances in West Road Concert Hall from the 23rd to the 25th February, this wickedly dark opera is not one to miss...
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2016 CUOS FUNDRAISING GALA |
CUOS was thrilled to host its first Fundraising Gala Concert on the 22nd November. A champagne reception in Emmanuel College's Old Library was followed with a formal showcase of CUOS' finest singing talent from the last few years. Students past and present, accompanied by Edward Reeve, performed a selection of operatic ensemble and solo favourites, including pieces by Monteverdi, Mozart, and Verdi.
We would like to thank our Senior President, Dame Fiona Reynolds, for hosting the evening, and an anonymous donor for providing the champagne and canapes. Thank you to everyone who attended for supporting us and being part of a really special night! |
2016 MICHAELMAS SHOW: CHARPENTIER'S THE DESCENT OF ORPHEUS TO THE UNDERWORLD |
On the 18th and 19th November, CUOS transformed the atmospheric Round Church into the Underworld for a stunning production of Charpentier's beautiful but little-known opera, The Descent of Orpheus to the Underworld. In suitably beautiful surroundings, The Descent of Orpheus to the Underworld was the perfect opera for a cosy winter's evening. Congratulations to the cast and crew on a wonderful Michaelmas Show.
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2016 EDINBURGH FRINGE: OWAIN PARK'S THE SNOW CHILD |
We're very excited to hear that Owain Park's chamber opera, The Snow Child, is going to be performed as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Owain's opera was first staged earlier this year with two other student-written operas as part of the CUOS Short Stories production, and we're thrilled to see it performed again.
As well as being a student-written production, the show stars several CUOS regulars and is really not to be missed. Be sure to catch it in Edinburgh, from the 22nd to the 26th August! |
2016 MAY WEEK SHOW: PUCCINI'S GIANNI SCHICCHI |
We are very much looking forward to our May Week Show, Puccini's wonderful Gianni Schicchi. This beautiful and hilarious work is sure to be the perfect end to the academic year, and will be performed in the Cambridge Union's Debating Chamber.
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2016 MAINSHOW: BRITTEN'S A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM |
Oberon walks out onto the street. He takes a drag on his cigarette. His eyeliner has smudged a little... Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream, a masterful operatic adaptation of the Shakespearian classic, is brought into a contemporary urban setting in this brand new production. Specifically created for the West Road stage, this is the Cambridge University Opera Society's biggest show of the year, featuring a cast showcasing the talent of singers within the University on the cusp of professional careers.
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★★★★★ FOR BERNSTEIN'S CANDIDE |
Our colourful production of Leonard Bernstein's Candide played to enthusiastic audiences at the Queens' Fitzpatrick Hall. The production was well-reviewed, receiving a five-star rating from Varsity. To read it, click here.
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RAVE REVIEWS FOR CUOS MAINSHOW DON GIOVANNI |
We are delighted to report that the four-show run of Mozart's Don Giovanni was a fantastic success, with a sell-out performance on the final night. The opera received an 8/10 review from The Cambridge Student, a four-star review from Varsity and a five-star review from The Tab. We are thrilled with the success of this performance and would like to congratulate all the cast and crew involved for such a tremendous show.
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STUNNING REVIEWS FOR THE CUOS PRODUCTION OF CURLEW RIVER |
Over the weekend some of Cambridge's finest young singers took to the stage and gave two truly incredible performances of Britten's Curlew River. With The Cambridge Student giving it 7/10, and Varsity describing it as 'a simple tale, beautifully executed', all we have left to do is congratulate the team on a wonderful production!
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CUOS RECEIVE A ★★★★★ REVIEW FOR OPERA GALA WITH MAGSOC |
We are delighted to see that the joint efforts of MagSoc (The St. Margaret's Society of Queens', Queens' music society) and CUOS were enjoyed by all in our Opera Gala Concert on Saturday night. Varsity gave the evening a superb five-star rating; praising the efforts of the choir, soloists and orchestra. We are thrilled that the event was such a success, and we hope that there will be many more in the future!
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HIGH PRAISE FOR THE MAGIC FLUTE |
CUOS are very proud of our successful run of Mozart's The Magic Flute in the ADC this term. With five sell-out performances and people queuing on the night in the hope of return tickets, it was a delight to see opera being appreciated with such enthusiasm by so many. The cast and crew succeeded in creating a production that consistently wowed audiences, as is demonstrated by a glowing four-star Varsity review. CUOS hope that this is the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership with the ADC Theatre: the venue helped make every evening such a fantastic experience for audience, cast and crew alike.
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