Online conversation about how class bias influences opera

How can a nuanced understanding of class shed light on opera makers’ lived experience; on how repertoire is selected and interpreted; on who comes to listen; on who feels they belong?

You are invited to join in an open online conversation about how class bias influences who makes opera and who opera is made for in 2025.

We’d love to hear from you, whether you think class bias in opera is already consigned to the history books - or you feel we need new strategies to address it. Positive ideas for change are particularly welcome -the floor is open!

The discussion will be chaired by Sarah Angliss. Sarah is a composer, technologist and historian of sound culture. Her opera Giant opened Aldeburgh Festival, 2023, and transferred to the Linbury, RBO, in 2024. In 2021 she received an Ivor Novello Visionary Award, in recognition of her body of work.

This conversation has been convened by Vanessa Oakes (Writer/Designer/Producer for opera and theatre).