Do we still need to talk about class in 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). Vanessa has written plays and text for a wide variety of people and spaces. Her words have been performed in theatres, art galleries and museums, community spaces, coal vaults, beneath a ring road, in an award-winning bungalow and at Latitude. She is currently working on a new opera theatre project, Songs for Survivors of the 21st Century, with composer Vahan Salorian.

All are welcome to join in the conversation and/or listen if you prefer.

Closed captioning will be available.

• You will be emailed the Zoom link and a brief reminder on the morning of the 9th October 2025.
• You must be over 16 years of age.
• This event may be recorded for archive purposes.
• You can join the conversation without your camera turned on and/or use a pseudonym if you need to stay anonymous for your own personal safety.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or queries: vowriterinresidence@gmail.com

This conversation is an inclusive safe space that has zero tolerance for any racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, Islamophobic, xenophobic, colonial or derogatory behaviour.

Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. Supported by Birmingham Opera Company. Public sitzprobe and public workshops supported by the Belgrade Theatre. Public sitzprobe supported by The Sir Barry Jackson Trust.