Hampstead Garden Opera Trust

The Hampstead Garden Opera Trust (charity number 1092649), formerly known as Hampstead Garden Opera (HGO), is a UK-based nonprofit organisation dedicated to advancing public education in the art and science of music, with a particular focus on operatic music. Established in 1990 by Roy Budden, the organisation began as an evening class at the Hampstead Garden Institute in London and has since evolved to produce professional standard opera performances featuring vibrant young singers accompanied by a live orchestra.

Mission and Activities

The Trust's primary objective is the education of the public in operatic music, promoting appreciation and understanding of this art form. It achieves this through staging award-winning opera productions twice a year at accessible prices in London, thereby fostering cultural enrichment and musical education among diverse audiences.

Notable Productions

HGO Trust has been recognised for its innovative repertoire and historical performances. In August 2020, the company staged Gustav Holst's opera Sāvitri at Lauderdale House. In June 2021, a new edition of Francesco Cavalli's 1643 opera L'Egisto was produced at The Cockpit Theatre in London. Additionally, in March 2022, the Trust presented the British premiere of the 1774 Hebrew-language oratorio Ester by Austrian composer Cristiano Lidarti, featuring a libretto by Jacob Raphael Saraval. This performance took place at the Free Church in Hampstead Garden Suburb and raised funds in support of the Red Cross Ukraine Emergency Appeal.

Governance and Structure

Operating as a registered charity under the Charity Commission for England and Wales, the Hampstead Garden Opera Trust manages its activities in accordance with its charitable objectives. It maintains a commitment to supporting young operatic talent and broadening access to opera through educational outreach and public performances.

This summary reflects the organisation's history, mission, and recent artistic contributions as a key cultural and educational charity within London's operatic scene.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HGO_Trust [2] https://hgo.org.uk/about/ [3] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/constituency-search/-/charity-details/3989632 [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/about-the-register-of-charities/-/charity-details/3989632/charity-overview [5] https://www.hgstrust.org/documents/period-ended-31-march-2022.pdf