Federico - In Five Years' Time
Feb
24
to 1 Mar

Federico - In Five Years' Time

In Five Years’ Time is a ‘drama in song’ based on an experimental play by Spain’s favourite poet, Federico García Lorca. This surreal work explores themes of love, identity and decay, yet does so in the manner of a fairy tale, clothed in fun and topsy-turviness. Lorca himself said it was impossible to stage, but The Music Troupe has put together a cast of 8 superb singers – playing 14 roles – to bring this operatic adaptation to life in the style of a cabaret. Displaying the group’s trademark lyricism, the music is stimulating and accessible while the drama and poetry are uniquely heart-rending.

James will be starring as the central character - the poet, Federico.

View Event →
Narraboth - Salome - Regents' Opera
Apr
10
to 23 Apr

Narraboth - Salome - Regents' Opera

Following the resounding success of its Ring Cycle in 2025, the UK’s leading fringe opera company, Regents Opera, returns to York Hall in 2026 with a bold new staging of Richard Strauss’ explosive masterpiece Salome, conducted by Ben Woodward and directed by Mark Ravenhill, in an arrangment by Nigel Shore.

With two sensational casts led by Eleanor Dennis and Kirsty Taylor-Stokes, and performed in the historic East End home of British boxing, Salome will be one of the most unusual operatic experiences of the year.

Set in a surreal East London underworld, Salome is reimagined as a darkly comic feast dripping in gangland glamour. The audience will step into the world of ‘King’ Herod where they will witness the grisly, seductive unravelling of one of opera’s greatest female characters.

James also returns to Regents' Opera where he starred as Loge in Das Rheingold - this time he will play the Syrian captian of the guard, Narraboth in all performances.

Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/regents-opera

View Event →
Conte di Lerma - Don Carlo - Grange Park Opera
Jun
6
to 7 Jul

Conte di Lerma - Don Carlo - Grange Park Opera

The burning of heretics in front of the Cathedral of Valladolid is only one of the spectacular elements in Verdi’s great historical tragedy Don Carlo.

Public, personal and political are all intermingled, drawing from Verdi some of his most glorious music, whether in full-throated choruses or introspective arias.

What does a King do when his new wife loves him no longer?

The loneliness of royalty, the conflict between duty and conviction, thwarted passion – Don Carlo has them all.

James will feature as the Count of Lerma and ensemble.

Info and Ticket Link: https://grangeparkopera.co.uk/whats-on/don-carlo-2/

View Event →
Froh - Das Rheingold - Grange Park Opera
Jun
14
to 10 Jul

Froh - Das Rheingold - Grange Park Opera

Das Rheingold is the first part of Wagner’s epic Ring Cycle, to be spread across four years. Our thrilling new production from Charles Edwards comes exactly 150 years after the first Bayreuth performance.

We meet many of the Ring’s main characters: Wotan, ruler of the Gods, and his wife Fricka; the slippery Loge, god of Fire; two lumbering giants, Fasolt and Fafner; and the three Rhinemaidens, playing in the river with the golden ring that will cause a whole world of trouble when the cunning dwarf Alberich steals it.

With a cast of outstanding British singers, Das Rheingold marks an important landmark in Grange Park Opera’s evolution.

The acoustic and intimacy of our five-storey opera house have been deemed exceptional for Wagner’s sound world, and emboldened by the success of Tristan, Die Walküre and Flying Dutchman, we have decided the time is ripe.

Be warned: Wagnerians are insatiable and tickets will go fast!

James will star as Froh, god of love in all performances.

Info + Ticket Link: https://grangeparkopera.co.uk/whats-on/das-rheingold-2/

View Event →

Valentine's Opera Soirée - St. Mary's, Hitchin
Feb
14

Valentine's Opera Soirée - St. Mary's, Hitchin

An early evening serenade of romance and love in all its' forms from Opera, Golden Age Musical Theatre and Jazz Classics with songs and arias made famous by The Three Tenors, Montserrat Caballé, Alfie Boe, The Rat Pack, Vera Lynn and more... Featuring tenor James Schouten and mezzo-soprano Charlotte Bateman. 

Tickets: https://wegottickets.com/event/688869

View Event →
Oedipus Rex (Stravinsky) - New Palace Opera
Nov
16

Oedipus Rex (Stravinsky) - New Palace Opera

Oedipus rex is an opera-oratorio by Igor Stravinsky, scored for orchestra, speaker, soloists, and male chorus. The libretto, based on Sophocles's tragedy, was written by Jean Cocteau in French and then translated by Abbé Jean Daniélou into Latin; the narration, however, is performed in the language of the audience.

Oedipus rex was written towards the beginning of Stravinsky's neoclassical period, and is considered one of the finest works from this phase of the composer's career. He had considered setting the work in Ancient Greek, but decided ultimately on Latin: in his words "a medium not dead but turned to stone".

View Event →
The Architect - Taj Mahal - Grange Park Opera
Jul
10
to 12 Jul

The Architect - Taj Mahal - Grange Park Opera

For the first time in opera, a sitar narrates a tale of passion, rivalry and murder

The distraught Emperor Shah Jahan is mourning his wife. The transformative power of their love is captured for eternity in the white marble of the Taj Mahal – a teardrop on the cheek of time.

Composer and virtuoso sitar-player Nishat Khan presents an astonishing Mughal odyssey of jewels, enthronements and an elephant fight.

Sung in English with English surtitles

View Event →
Alfred - Die Fledermaus - Kentish Opera
May
1
to 3 May

Alfred - Die Fledermaus - Kentish Opera

Die Fledermaus

Strauss' operetta Die Fledermaus oozes charm, glamour and romance, its hilarious plot captivating its audience from overture to final curtain. Among the highlights of a memorable evening are Rosalinde's fiery Hungarian Czárdás, Orlofsky's Champagne Aria and Adele's Laughing Song.

This delightful farce tells how Gabriel von Eisenstein, facing eight days in jail, tells his wife, Rosalinde, that he is off to serve his time, but instead attends a lavish ball given by Prince Orlofsky. Unbeknown to him, Rosalinde also attends the party, veiled, as does her maid Adele masquerading as an actress. To further complicate things Rosalinde's lover, Alfredo, is taken to jail in Eisenstein's place! By the end of the night all veils are lifted, identities known and truths revealed.

This new production, directed by Stephen Antony Brown, brings this wonderful operetta to life with an opulent production set in Vienna and is fully staged and sung in English. The professional soloists from leading opera companies are backed by Kentish Opera's impressive chorus and a professional orchestra conducted by Robyn Sevastos.

View Event →
Das Rheingold - Regents Opera
Oct
10
to 19 Nov

Das Rheingold - Regents Opera

James will perform the role of Loge in Regents Opera upcoming production of Das Rheingold.

Here’s a sneak preview of when the performances are going to take place, we will reveal the full dates and the spectacular venue on this page on the evening of the 28th March…

November 2022

Rheingold (3 performances)

May 2023

Walküre (3 performances)

February 2024

Siegfried (3 performances)

November 2024

Der Ring (2 cycles)

View Event →
Carmen - Opera in Oborne
Aug
19
to 21 Aug

Carmen - Opera in Oborne

James will be performing as Don Jose and at a Gala Concert at Opera in Oborne - details and link below:

Friday 19th @ 8pm - Carmen

Saturday 20th @ 8pm - Carmen

Sunday 21st @ 3pm - Opera Gala Concert

Link: https://www.operainoborne.org/

View Event →
Grange Park Opera - 2022 Season - Chorus
Apr
19
to 16 Jul

Grange Park Opera - 2022 Season - Chorus

James will sing tenor chorus in the 2022 Grange Park Opera.

Thu 9 Jun  – The Excursions of Mr Broucek
Sat 11 Jun – La Gioconda
Thu 16 Jun – La Gioconda
Sat 18 Jun – The Excursions of Mr Broucek
Sun 19 Jun – Otello
Mon 20 Jun – La Gioconda
Wed 22 Jun – Otello
Thu 23 Jun – La Gioconda
Sat 25 Jun – Otello
Sun 26 Jun – The Excursions of Mr Broucek
Wed 29 Jun – The Excursions of Mr Broucek
Thu 30 Jun – Otello

Sat 2 Jul  – La Gioconda
Sun  3 Jul – Otello
Wed 6 Jul – Otello
Thu 7 Jul – The Excursions of Mr Broucek
Sat 9 Jul – Otello
Sun 10 Jul – La Gioconda
Wed13 Jul – La Gioconda
Thu 14 Jul – Der Fliegende Holländer
Sat 16 Jul – Der Fliegende Holländer

View Event →
 Featured Guest Soloist - ‘Here Comes The Sun’ Hutton & Shenfield Choral
Feb
12

Featured Guest Soloist - ‘Here Comes The Sun’ Hutton & Shenfield Choral

  • Anglo European School Ingatestone, England, CM4 0DH United Kingdom (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Hutton & Shenfield Choral Society was established in 1967 and is the largest choral society in Brentwood and, with 120 singers, one of the leading choirs in South Essex. The choir, which is conducted by Tim Hooper, performs choral music with professional orchestras and soloists in venues in Brentwood and from time to time, in Chelmsford Cathedral.

View Event →
Carmen - Opera Loki
Oct
22
to 23 Oct

Carmen - Opera Loki

James Schouten will sing the role of Don Jose in Opera Loki’s production of Carmen.

Opera Loki cuts right to the soulful heart of Bizet’s famous tale of female seduction, love and the pursuit of freedom.

‘ I think the roars of approval at the end of the evening said it all. It was a cracking performance.’
‘ …an absolute enchantment in every way, beautifully sung and acted.’

 

Following a tour in France, Opera Loki brings Bizet’s Carmen to UK venues this autumn, including ‘Upstairs at the Gatehouse’, Highgate (21st – 24th October)
This production is not to be missed!

View Event →
Garsington Opera/Rosetta Life - Weather the Storm
Jul
30

Garsington Opera/Rosetta Life - Weather the Storm

  • Garsington Opera High Wycombe, England, HP14 3YE United Kingdom (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Weather the Storm is a 45 minute opera collaboration between arts-in-health charity Rosetta Life and the Garsington Opera Adult Company. Weather the Storm is a new work by Orlando Gough with libretto by Lucinda Jarrett and Chris Rawlence drawn from the experiences of stroke survivors. The opera will be performed by a company of professional singers, stroke survivors, Adult Company members and NHS Health Professionals under the direction of Karen Gillingham.

Weather the Storm is a development of the short online opera I Look for the Think, which was first streamed in September 2020, and was itself a development of Hospital Passion Play, performed at the Victoria and Albert Museum in September 2017.Weather the Storm will be performed on the Garsington Opera stage at Wormsley on Friday 30 July 2021.

Performance will be followed by a Q&A with the cast hosted by Professor Nick Ward.

View Event →
Il turco in Italia
Jul
3
to 4 Jul

Il turco in Italia

Galina Benevich – Soprano
Brenton Spiteri – Tenor
Oscar Castellino – baritone
Arlene Miatto Albeldas – mezzo-soprano
William Searle – Tenor
James Schouten – baritone
Geoff Williams – Bass

Scherzo Ensemble

View Event →