16 Feb Essex Summer Opera Festival Announces Dates and New Features for 2024 Season
The Essex Summer Opera Festival, in its third year, returns to Layer Marney Tower from 18th to 23rd June 2024.
This festival, a collaboration between Wild Arts and Layer Marney Tower, has established
itself by delivering engaging opera productions.
This season features The Magic Flute, directed by James Hurley, with design by Sophie Lincoln and conducted by Orlando Jopling. The production includes a cast of 12 singers and a chamber orchestra, with
new translations, dialogue, and orchestration.
Ticket Information
Tickets for the four shows at Layer Marney Tower are available since 1st February 2024. The festival proposes a range of performance starting times, some evenings featuring a long picnic interval. Sunday
23rd June is a matinee performance. A classic Routemaster bus service is provided to transport ticket
holders from Witham station to the event.
Expanding Festival Programme
The festival is delighted to expand its array of offerings this year. Beside The Magic Flute, the opera barn
will host a series of nightly events. These include the unveiling of the world premiere of British-Austrian
composer Noah Max’s new song cycle, setting Carol Ann Duffy’s poem Rapture to music–– in partnership
with the Essex Book Festival––, alongside a selection of chamber concerts.
Wild Arts: Accessible Opera and Sustainability
Wild Arts is committed to bringing high-calibre opera to underserved areas, offering cultural experiences
to communities typically beyond the reach of traditional opera companies. The organisation places a strong
emphasis on sustainability, managing emissions carefully, and utilising recycled materials for its props and
costumes.
The company also engages with young audiences through educational workshops, a cornerstone of its
mission, supported by a collaborative effort with the Essex Music Hub. Wild Arts is dedicated to
combining artistic excellence with community outreach and a conscientious environmental approach.
