Midsummer Opera

Meet the characters of Simon Boccanegra.

Jacopo Fiesco - a Genoese nobleman, and Simon's great rival. His hatred for the Doge, rooted in the events of the Prologue, shadows the entire opera until its final, unexpected reconciliation.

Performed by Gerard Delrez, returning to MSO having previously sung the Grand Inquisitor in Verdi's Don Carlo in 2024.

Performances:
📅 26 June 2026 at 7:00pm
📅 28 June 2026 at 5:00pm
A few tickets still remain - book directly here: https://wegottickets.com/midsummeropera

Meet the characters of Simon Boccanegra.

Gabriele Adorno — a Genoese gentleman, and Amelia's secret love, caught between his devotion to her and a deep mistrust of the Doge who he believes wronged her family.

Performed by MSO favourite John Upperton, who alongside performing is shaping the stage presentation too - many still remember so well his “Don Carlo” in our last Verdi production in 2024.

Performances:
📅 26 June 2026 at 7:00pm
📅 28 June 2026 at 5:00pm
A few tickets still remain - book directly here: https://wegottickets.com/midsummeropera

Meet the characters of Simon Boccanegra.

Maria Boccanegra, known as Amelia Grimaldi — Simon's daughter, lost to him as a child and raised under another name, unaware of who she truly is. Her reunion with her father is one of the most moving moments in all of Verdi.

Performed by much-loved MSO Chorus Master Zoë South, who is also busy preparing our amazing Chorus for this production - many will remember too her performance as Elizabeth of Valois in our Don Carlo in 2024.

Performances:
📅 26 June 2026 at 7:00pm
📅 28 June 2026 at 5:00pm
Some tickets remain - book directly here: https://wegottickets.com/midsummeropera

Meet the characters of Simon Boccanegra ahead of next week's performances.

Simon Boccanegra — a Corsair in the service of the Republic of Genoa, who rises to become the city's first Doge. A man of the people who finds himself trapped between political power and a private grief — the loss of his daughter, decades earlier.

Performed by MSO regular Andrew Mayor whose Rodrigo in our 2024 Don Carlo production remains a treasured memory for many of our audience.

Performances:
📅 26 June 2026 at 7:00pm
📅 28 June 2026 at 5:00pm
Some tickets remain - book directly here: https://wegottickets.com/midsummeropera

We are delighted to introduce the artists bringing Verdi's Simon Boccanegra to life this June supported by the magnificent Chorus and Orchestra of Midsummer Opera.

Conductor: David Roblou
Stage Presentation: John Upperton
Chorus Master: Zoë South
Orchestra Leader: Stefan Bown

— CAST —

Simon Boccanegra — Andrew Mayor
Understudy: Nick Marsden

Maria Boccanegra / Amelia Grimaldi — Zoë South
Understudies: Marrianne Town Smith, Alice Usher

Jacopo Fiesco — Gerard Delrez
Understudy: Robert Byford

Gabriele Adorno — John Upperton
Understudy: Robin Whitehouse

Paolo Albiani — Ian Wilson-Pope
Understudy: Robert Byford

Pietro — Adam Brown
Understudy: Thomas Rayner

Un'ancella di Amelia — Faye Courtney

Un Capitano dei Balestrieri — Paul Blundell
Understudy: Christopher Hollis

Performances:
📅 26 June 2026 at 7:00pm
📅 28 June 2026 at 5:00pm
Some tickets for both are still available book directly here: https://wegottickets.com/midsummeropera

Just under three weeks until Simon Boccanegra comes to St John's Waterloo.

If you've been meaning to book, now really is the time. We perform with a full 50-piece symphony orchestra and large chorus — Verdi on a scale you rarely get the chance to hear live — in one of the most dramatically powerful operas he ever wrote.

We have two performances:
📅 26 June 2026 at 7:00pm
📅 28 June 2026 at 5:00pm

Tickets for both are now available book directly here: https://wegottickets.com/midsummeropera

More about the opera, the cast, and what to expect over the next couple weeks. Don't leave it too long.

We are thrilled to announce our June 2026 production: Verdi's Simon Boccanegra.
Rarely performed and utterly compelling, Boccanegra is one of Verdi's most dramatically ambitious operas — a story of political power, personal loss, and a father searching for the daughter he thought he had lost forever. Set against the intrigue of medieval Genoa, it builds to one of the most emotionally shattering finales in all of opera.
We perform with the MSO Symphony Orchestra and Chorus at St John's Waterloo, on 26 & 28 June 2006. Watch this space — more about the opera, the cast, and what to expect over the coming weeks.

Tickets on sale at https://wegottickets.com/midsummeropera.

Our final artist profile! With one performance down and Sunday's still to come, meet the three men who complete Pagliacci's tragic ensemble...

Tonio (Nick Marsden)
The simple-minded clown who opens the opera with its famous Prologue, Tonio harbours an unrequited love for Nedda. Spurned and humiliated when he tries to kiss her, his jealousy becomes the catalyst for tragedy when he reveals Nedda's affair to Canio. This complex role requires a baritone who can convey both Tonio's wounded vulnerability and his vengeful darkness.

London-based baritone Nick returns to MSO following appearances as Prince Yeletsky (Queen of Spades), the Monk (Don Carlo) and Rambaldo (La rondine).

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Silvio (Ben Watkins)
The young villager who captures Nedda's heart and pleads with her to abandon her life with the travelling players. Silvio's passionate love duet with Nedda seals their fate when Tonio overhears their plans to elope.

Welsh baritone Ben sings widely in opera and recital. A recent Papageno was reviewed as offering "sublime baritone arias" and moving audiences to "laughter and tears". He balances an active performing career with a flourishing London teaching practice.

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Beppe (Paul Blundell)
A member of Canio's travelling troupe, Beppe plays Harlequin in the commedia performance, providing moments of charm and levity before the opera's devastating conclusion.

Paul has sung Vašek (Bartered Bride), Royal Herald (Don Carlo) and Chekalinsky (Queen of Spades) with MSO. Most recently he performed the role of Colonel Fairfax (Yeoman of the Guard) with Ferrier Operatic Society.

A few tickets still remain ... well worth seeing!

Sunday 23 November 2025 at 5pm
https://wegottickets.com/midsummeropera

Continuing our profiles: the woman at the heart of Pagliacci's fatal triangle...

In her marriage to the volatile Canio, Nedda dreams of freedom and finds solace in the arms of the young villager Silvio. Her famous "Ballatella" reveals her longing to escape like the birds she watches, but her affair sets in motion the tragedy that will engulf them all. Nedda requires a soprano who can convey both her yearning for liberation and the fatal consequences of seeking it.

Niki Ihnatowicz returns to MSO following her appearance as Smetana's eponymous Bartered Bride. Other recent roles include Elisabetta (Don Carlo), Sieglinde (Die Walküre), Governess (Turn of the Screw) and Chrysothemis (Elektra)

A few tickets remain so do take the chance while you can:

Performances:
Friday 21 November 2025 at 7pm
Sunday 23 November 2025 at 5pm
https://wegottickets.com/midsummeropera