The If Opera 2026 Company

If Opera’s repertory ensemble company has emerging artists, access and inclusion at its heart.

We champion three main principles: supporting emerging and re-emerging artists, fair and weekly pay, and crucially, a repertory ensemble company. We aim to provide a fulfilling professional experience which develops the skills, repertoire, confidence and expertise of those artists involved, and help them to build long-term and sustainable careers.

The Ensemble

Marie Cayeux

Mercédès, Carmen
If Opera Pre-season Launch Party
The Art of Baroque: Masterclass & Concert

Lisa Dafydd

Lilas Pastia, Carmen
If Opera Pre-season Launch Party

Dominick Felix

Dancaïre, Carmen
Homewood Gala Dinner
If Opera Pre-season Launch Party
Family Fiesta Day

Eric Fennell

Don José, Carmen
If Opera Pre-season Launch Party

Sarah Gilford

Micaëla, Carmen
Homewood Gala Dinner
If Opera Pre-season Launch Party

Paul Grant

Moralès, Carmen
If Opera Pre-season Launch Party
Family Fiesta Day

Sophie Kidwell

Carmen, Carmen
If Opera Pre-season Launch Party

Woogyeom Kim

Don José (Music cover), Carmen
If Opera Pre-season Launch Party
Family Fiesta Day

Sofia Kirwan-Baez

Frasquita, Carmen
Belcombe Court Open Gardens
Afternoon Tea & Opera at The Wiltshire Music Centre
If Opera Pre-season Launch Party
The Art of Baroque: Masterclass & Concert

Ashley Mercer

Bonimenteur, Carmen
Afternoon Tea & Opera at The Wiltshire Music Centre
If Opera Pre-season Launch Party

Giuseppe Pellingra

Zuniga, Carmen
If Opera Pre-season Launch Party

Rachel Roper

Ensemble, Carmen
Homewood Gala Dinner
If Opera Pre-season Launch Party
The Art of Baroque: Masterclass & Concert

Myrna Tennant

Ensemble, Carmen
Belcombe Court Open Gardens
If Opera Pre-season Launch Party
Family Fiesta Day

Seán Tester

Remendado, Carmen
Afternoon Tea & Opera at The Wiltshire Music Centre
If Opera Pre-season Launch Party
The Art of Baroque: Masterclass & Concert

Yuriy Yurchuk

Escamillo, Carmen
Homewood Gala Dinner
If Opera Pre-season Launch Party

Guest Artists

Christian Curnyn

The Art of Baroque: Masterclass & Concert

Oliver John Ruthven

The Art of Baroque: Masterclass & Concert

The Artistic Team

Oliver Gooch

Artistic Director, If Opera
Conductor, Carmen

James Hurley

Director

Laura Jane Stanfield

Designer

Joe Price

Lighting Designer

Monica Nicolaides

Movement & Intimacy Director

Charles Kilpatrick

Repetiteur / Head Coach

The Production Team

Ed Borgnis

Head of Production

Rachael Duthie

Production Manager

Zoë Rogers-Holman

Stage Manager

Anna Dixon

Wardrobe Supervisor

Amy Batty

Company Stage Manager on Book

Helen Woods

Assistant Stage Manager

Panda Cooper

Hair, Make-Up & Wigs Supervisor

Jobina Hardy

Hair, Make-Up & Wigs Assistant

Gracie Green

Wardrobe Assistant