The 2nd Biennial Sector Summit - 22 October 2026, Convene County Hall, London

THE BUSINESS
OF OPERA

Purpose, passion, performance: shaping opera's next decade

Thank you for joining us!

The Business of Opera Summit brought the sector together around a shared challenge: how to sustain what is most valuable in opera while adapting and evolving for the years ahead.
 
This year's summit built on the momentum of the inaugural event through four guiding themes:

  • Purpose - strengthening identity, collaboration and collective ambition.

  • Passion - championing the artistry and talent at the heart of the industry.

  • Performance - turning ideas into action, building a more resilient future for opera.

  • Potential - exploring technology, innovation and new pathways for the sector's long-term future.

2026 Speakers

Frederic Wake-Walker
Frederic Wake-Walker
Mahogany Opera
Artistic Director
Hannah Watton
Hannah Watton
Laidlaw Foundation
Marketing Manager
Dr. Kiara Wickremasinghe
Dr. Kiara Wickremasinghe
CAMHRA, SOAS
Research Fellow
Richard Willacy
Richard Willacy
Birmingham Opera Company
General Director
Gareth Williams
Gareth Williams
Mid Wales Opera
Chair
Toby Young
Toby Young
Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Professor of Music and Innovation, UKRI Future Leaders Fellow

Media Partners