UPDATED: Fiona Shaw to Host Opera Gala Concert

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This summer, Fiona Shaw (Petunia Dursley) will be hosting the inaugural gala for a new organization named SWAP’ra (Supporting Women and Parents in Opera).

In addition to being an acclaimed actress of stage and screen, Shaw is an opera director and is curating the evening, which will celebrate women in opera.

The concert is on July 31 at Opera Holland Park, London.

[It] will feature semi-staged opera scenes, all conducted, directed and performed by female artists and accompanied by a reduced orchestra of female players.

The repertoire has been specifically chosen to showcase strong female characters and will include music from classic operas like The Marriage of Figaro as well as contemporary pieces by female composers.

SWAP’ra was launched earlier this year by a group of artists aiming to effect positive change for women and parents working in their sector. The gala will raise money for their projects, which include a grant for “opera parents” and mentorship schemes.

Ticket information will be announced closer to the event. Follow SWAP’ra on Twitter to stay up-to-date with artist and box office announcements.

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UPDATE (May 25):
Tickets for the concert are now on sale. They can be purchased from the Opera Holland Park website.

Jennifer C.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was the first film I watched in a cinema and was my introduction to everything Potter. This was swiftly followed by starting the books, which I grew up reading. I’m a proud Hufflepuff and an almost stereotypical Brit from near London (amortentia would definitely smell like tea to me).