10-07-2025
Royal Opera director: ‘I've absorbed London's energy'
I f Oliver Mears, director of opera at the Royal Opera, had to compose a work about London, what would it focus on? 'The housing crisis,' he jokes. 'I suppose that wouldn't be very sexy, would it … something about how it's the greatest city on earth?!'
Since taking his role at the Royal Opera House in 2017, Mears has overseen a diverse repertoire that combines timeless classics — a new staging of Verdi's Rigoletto — with bold, contemporary works, including the world premiere of George Benjamin's Lessons in Love and Violence. His passion for storytelling, combined with his drive to make opera more inclusive and embrace technological advances, has firmly established him as one of Britain's most visionary artistic leaders.
His acclaimed production of Semele runs until July 18, and preparations are in progress for the next season. Mears reflects on what makes London such a vital source of inspiration, where to find the best and most affordable classical music, and what lies ahead for the industry in the capital.
