Cambridge University Opera Society (CUOS) organises and supports a wide range of opera-related activities, including fully staged productions, concerts, masterclasses, workshops, recitals, trips, and educational projects.
For many students, CUOS projects are amongst the most thrilling and rewarding experiences of their time in Cambridge. They bring together interdisciplinary teams and leave lasting memories, both on and off the stage. We stage at least two large-scale projects each year: a Michaelmas Show and a Mainshow (in Lent), which are produced entirely by students.
In recent years, these have included:
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L'incoronazione di Poppea (Monteverdi)
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Die Fledermaus (Strauss)
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The Rake’s Progress (Stravinsky)
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The Turn of the Screw (Britten)
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The Cunning Little Vixen (Janáček)
We also champion new works: during Lent, our CUOS Shorts programme offers student composers and librettists the opportunity to stage their work semi-professionally. Recent productions have been enriched by masterclasses led by industry experts such as Johnny Graham-Hall, Michael Chance and the English Touring Opera.
Notable CUOS alumni include David Atherton, Sir Mark Elder, David Pountney, Julia Hollander, Michael Chance, and Andrew Kennedy.
Membership is open to everyone — performers, creatives, composers and enthusiasts alike — within the University and the wider public. Those new to opera are particularly welcome!
To find out more, explore our website or social media, which feature details of upcoming events and an archive of past productions.
For any questions or proposals, please contact Livia, CUOS President, at president.cuos@gmail.com.