Cumbria is getting ready to raise the curtain. This summer, the Cumbria Opera Festival will return from 21 to 30 August 2025, bringing ten days of powerful performances, creative workshops and community celebration. Organised by Cumbria Opera Group, the festival will appear in seven towns across the county, offering opera that is fresh, exciting and accessible to all.
Since its debut in 2021, the festival has continued to grow. It has built a reputation for combining top-level performance with local talent. Now in its third edition, it aims to reach more people than ever before.
A Celebration Across Seven Towns
This year’s festival will visit Penrith, Barrow, Appleby, Keswick, Kendal, Carlisle and Grange-over-Sands. Each venue will host a different event, and there is truly something for everyone to enjoy.
Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro
Opening the festival is a new English translation of Mozart’s much-loved comedy. It will feature the Cumbria Community Opera Chorus and Youth Chorus. This large-scale production takes place at Penrith Methodist Church from 21 to 23 August.
Opera by Candlelight
This series of intimate concerts presents vocal favourites in beautiful surroundings.
- 24 August: Barrow Town Hall
- 25 August: Appleby Public Hall
- 26 August: St John’s Church, Keswick
Porgy and Bess (Reimagined)
A stripped-back version of Gershwin’s opera will tour to Kendal and Carlisle. With only two singers, this version highlights the story’s emotional depth. It features an all-Black cast and creative team.
- 27 August: Kendal Town Hall
- 28 August: Tithe Barn, Carlisle
The Turn of the Screw
Britten’s haunting tale brings psychological drama to Grange-over-Sands. This eerie production will run on 29 and 30 August at Victoria Hall.
Joan Rodgers CBE Masterclass
On 30 August, the festival closes with a rare chance to watch one of the UK’s finest sopranos coach rising stars. The public masterclass begins at 2 pm, also at Victoria Hall.
Local Talent Centre Stage
Cumbria Opera Group believes opera should be made with the community, not just performed to it. That’s why local talent is central to the festival. The Cumbria Community Opera Chorus, formed in 2023, will return to the stage alongside the newly established Youth Chorus. Both groups give Cumbrian singers of all ages the chance to shine.
The festival also runs an annual Young Composers’ Competition. Open to anyone in Cumbria under 21, it offers mentoring from Associate Composer Jen Hartley. The winning piece will premiere during the Opera by Candlelight tour.
Workshops for Young People
In addition to public performances, the festival supports schools across Cumbria with interactive workshops. Sessions include “Play in a Day”, drama, and singing activities. These are designed to support learning in subjects like English and music. Importantly, they also help young people develop confidence and communication skills.
One teacher at Appleby Primary School said, “The children really loved it. Those who are usually quieter came out of their shell when performing.”
Workshops are offered free of charge, helping to remove barriers and broaden access to the arts.
A Festival with a Mission
Cumbria has no permanent opera house or professional orchestra. Many residents must travel long distances to experience live classical music. The festival was created to change that. It brings professional performers to local spaces and actively involves the people who live here.
Audiences have responded with enthusiasm. Many who had never seen opera before said they would return again. Several described the experience as unforgettable. The festival is proving that opera is not just for big cities or elite venues.
It is also investing in the future of the art form. Performers, composers and creatives from Cumbria and beyond are finding support through the festival’s growing network.
Opera with a Cumbrian Heart
What makes this festival stand out is its deep sense of place. Every performance is shaped by local voices, venues and stories. Whether you live in Penrith or Carlisle, or are visiting for the summer, you will find something to enjoy.
The programme blends classic works with bold new interpretations. For example, the reimagined Porgy and Bess explores modern questions around race and belonging. Meanwhile, The Turn of the Screw promises gripping drama in an atmospheric setting.
Get Involved
Tickets for all performances are now on sale via the official website: cumbriaoperagroup.com. Prices are kept affordable to encourage as many people as possible to attend. Some events, such as the youth masterclass, are free to the public.
The festival also welcomes volunteers, school partners and new members of its community choruses. If you want to take part, there are many ways to get involved.
Don’t Miss It
The Cumbria Opera Festival is more than a concert series. It is a chance to celebrate culture, connect with others and experience something new. Whether you are an opera regular or a curious newcomer, you will be warmly welcomed.
Make sure to book your tickets early and discover what opera can mean in the heart of Cumbria.
