Presented by Petroc Trelawny, Christmas with Opera Holland Park is a new film featuring the company’s principals and chorus in the beautiful interior of Leighton House, Kensington, and outside Holland House in the centre of Holland Park, on the site where the theatre stands in the summer.
Music from lieder and chansons to popular seasonal songs contrast with readings by the actor Philip Jackson and the author Kathy Lette, and a festive cocktail recipe from Chief Executive and Director of Opera, James Clutton. Meanwhile the Opera Holland Park Chorus gathers at Holland House to sing a selection of traditional carols. The film will be free to view, with a request for donations of warm clothing and other essentials for Refettorio Felix, a charity with whom OHP works closely throughout the year.
Soloists involved include Julien Van Mellaerts, Ross Ramgobin and Elizabeth Karani (Count Almaviva, Figaro and Susanna in OHP’s upcoming 2021 production of The Marriage of Figaro). Also featured are Hannah Pedley and Robert Murray. The pianist in Leighton House is Stuart Wild, and the chorus master in Holland Park is Richard Harker.
Christmas with Opera Holland Park was filmed and edited by Simon Wall and will be available to watch on demand on the company’s YouTube and Facebook channels from 7pm on 17 December, when OHP will be hosting an #OHPChristmas watch party on social media.