The story of London is one of prized land and grand estates that were once owned by a privileged few before gradually entering the public domain. What we now recognise as the borough of Holland Park in West London is a wonderful example of this idea that stretches over 400 years.
The diplomat Sir Walter Cope first built Holland House in 1605, and it passed through generations of his family before being transferred to the Earl of Ilchester at the end of the 19th century. Its grounds were a beautiful mix of formal gardens and the rugged wilderness beyond, making it a perfect spot for hunting in the area. During this time, it acted as a beacon for a collection of era-defining literary and cultural figures such as the romantic poet Lord Byron, the peerless social commentator Charles Dickens and the novelist and historian Sir Walter Scott.
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Destruction and Rebirth
The Second World War had a devastating effect on much of London’s architecture. Unfortunately, Holland House was almost completely destroyed by German incendiary bombing during the Blitz of September 1940, with the exquisite Jacobean mansion left in ruins. The east wing, elements of the south façade and a portion of the ground floor were all that remained when the conflict eventually ended. In 1952, the 6th Earl of Ilchester sold the land and grounds, with the ruins as its centrepiece, to the London County Council and it became part of the great tapestry of public spaces in the capital.
Appropriately Operatic Scenery
In 1996, the ruins of Holland House became a striking backdrop for a new era of cultural attraction. The Opera Holland Park company was founded as part of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s Libraries & Arts Service and hit the ground running with a bold production of Un ballo in Maschera. The choice of a large-scale Verdi work as the opening piece was a clear signal that Opera Holland Park was intent on delivering major performances in the open air and was not afraid to match the majesty of the scenery with a similar level of ambition. This was to be a celebration of opera in its original spirit; an art form to engage the widest public audience with no barriers to access.
Development & Growth
Under the leadership of the founding General Director Michael Volpe, Opera Holland Park rapidly developed. By 2001, it was staging 48 performances a year in a mix of classic and lesser-known productions in a seasonal festival model. The familiar sight of the summer theatre canopy was becoming a favoured fixture for the social calendar of West London. In 2003, the City of London Sinfonia became the resident orchestra, and a brand-new 1000-seat auditorium soon followed that allowed a new freedom of scale for future productions.
This was now ‘London’s Greenest Theatre’ with a vista of greenery and the weight of history combining to make the perfect scenery. In true 20th-century style, everything had been carefully constructed with sustainability in mind, with reclaimed and eco-friendly materials providing an inspiring structure of tiered seating and balconies.
Highlights & High Notes
There have been several standout productions over the years with a widening appeal and an enduring emphasis on community that has developed alongside it. The Songs on the Steps in 2025 was a fantastic program of free recitals that enchanted passers-by during the summer months. This was part of a festival schedule that may well have been the strongest showing yet, with The Flying Dutchman by Wagner as a stirring and crowd-pleasing opener. Soprano Jennifer France took plenty of the plaudits during her stylish and flexible performance in Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti too, in a stellar season for Opera Holland Park.
The Next Act
2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Opera Holland Park and the confirmed productions look set to celebrate this in style. It opens with Puccini’s La fanciulla del West running from the 26th of May until the 12th of June. Così fan tutte, the Mozart masterpiece, joins the program from the 28th of May until the 13th of June, with additional Verdi and Johan Strauss II works all in line for an airing too.
As ever, the commitment to a mix of major pieces with innovative performances is a big part of the attraction. A long-term partnership with the Yachiyoza Theatre in Kumamoto, Japan will bring the UK premiere of The Bamboo Princess to the park in what promises to be a certain show-stopper.
Tickets will be available from February next year but there are some priority booking avenues that can be explored before then. All members of Opera Holland Park, Benefactors and donors are able to secure their seats from late November onwards with what might just be the hottest arts tickets of the summer. The strains of classic sounds under London summer skies, or even clouds, is an experience that will be very difficult to beat.
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