Opera-goers want the classics not ‘edgy’ shows

Opera houses must pay more attention to older audiences with traditional tastes, rather than make “edgy” productions aimed at the young, a leading director has said.

Michael Volpe, general director of Opera Holland Park, warned that companies risk financial troubles if they throw all their energies into pursuing the new.

“I think it’s now time to accept that a significant number of regular opera-goers are older traditionalists who are just not prepared to take a risk any longer – by risk, I mean on production style – and the UK opera industry cannot afford to look askance at them,” Mr Volpe said.