The full company of a London Youth Opera production on stage in costume.

More Than 50 Years of New Opera

Past Productions

Since 1971, London Youth Opera has created and staged new operas for young performers, building a remarkable repertoire of original work for young voices and large casts.

2025

The Little Zombie Girl

Omar Shahryar, composer · Ed Harris, librettist

The Little Zombie Girl is a contemporary fable exploring trust, self-acceptance, diversity and belonging.

Performance highlights · The Little Zombie Girl (2025)
  • Ringaling's Goblin Circus troupe in a choreographed ensemble number.
  • Courtroom scene with the Little Zombie Girl and a 'Wanted' poster.
  • Four performers in pink berets and red skirts dance in unison.

2024

The Quest

Nathan Williamson, composer · Megg Nicol, librettist

A group of brilliant young scientists stand on the brink of solving the world's environmental crisis, but their ideals are tested when ambitious politicians begin competing for power and control.

Performance highlights · The Quest (2024)
  • A cluster of young scientists lean in around a tablet, faces animated with excitement and alarm as they read a breakthrough.
  • Two scientists share a high-five, the warmth of the moment cutting through the seriousness of the laboratory scene.
  • Two young scientists take the podium beneath a huge projected Eco Conference logo, addressing a semicircle of colleagues gathered around them.

2023

Pandora's Box

Stuart Hancock, composer · Donald Sturrock, librettist

When Pandora Woakes receives a mysterious gift from Prometheus, a salesman from Olympus Enterprises, on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, she unknowingly releases Greed, Vanity and Envy into the modern world.

Performance highlights · Pandora's Box (2023)
  • Prometheus, in an Olympus Enterprises blue bomber jacket and messenger bag, stands lit against a red curtain and wooden panelled backdrop.
  • Pandora receives a plain cardboard box marked with a red X from two Olympus Enterprises messengers, her family gathered around a birthday cake behind her.
  • Three friends from the village of Middle Demos gather around a kitchen counter in warm autumnal clothes, mid-conversation.

1971 - Today

The LYO Archive

Explore London Youth Opera’s production history, from W11 Children’s Opera to the present day.

Our 2023, 2024 and 2025 productions are featured above.

* = not an original W11/LYO commission; + = revival

  1. 2022No production
  2. 2021It’s Your MoveComposer: Russell Hepplewhite · Librettist: Tim Yealland and Susan Moore
  3. 2020JukeboxComposer: Various
  4. 2019Ever YoungComposer: Russell Hepplewhite · Librettist: Helen Eastman
  5. 2018Shadowtracks+ RevivalComposer: Julian Grant · Librettist: Christina Jones
  6. 2017The Cutlass CrewComposer: Stuart Hancock · Librettist: Donald Sturrock
  7. 2016The PriceComposer: Russell Hepplewhite · Librettist: Helen Eastman
  8. 2015Eliza and the SwansComposer: John Barber · Librettist: Hazel Gould
  9. 2014Deep Waters+ RevivalComposer: Cecilia McDowall · Librettist: Christie Dickason
  10. 2013The FizzComposer: Martin Ward · Librettist: Phil Porter
  11. 2012Good IntentionsComposer: Julian Philips · Librettist: Simon Christmas
  12. 2011Original FeaturesComposer: Julian Grant · Librettist: Christina Jones
  13. 2010Rain DanceComposer: Stuart Hancock · Librettist: Donald Sturrock
  14. 2009The Whale SaversComposer: Martin Ward · Librettist: Phil Porter
  15. 2008The Song of RhiannonComposer: Mark Bowden · Librettist: Helen Cooper
  16. 2007ShadowtracksComposer: Julian Grant · Librettist: Tina Jones
  17. 2006Chincha-Chancha CoorooComposer: Bernard Hughes · Librettist: William Radice
  18. 2005Antiphony+ RevivalComposer: Graham Preskett · Librettist: John Kane
  19. 2004All in the MindComposer: Edward Lambert · Librettist: Edward Lambert
  20. 2003Game OverComposer: Guy Dagul · Librettist: Jane Aspeling
  21. 2002StormlightComposer: David Knotts · Librettist: Katharine Craik
  22. 2001Flying HighComposer: Graham Preskett · Librettist: John Kane
  23. 2000Deep WatersComposer: Cecilia McDowall · Librettist: Christie Dickason
  24. 1999RipComposer: Colin Towns · Librettist: Martin Newell
  25. 1998Birthday+ RevivalComposer: George Fenton · Librettist: Timothy Kraemer
  26. 1997EloiseComposer: Karl Jenkins · Librettist: Carol Barratt
  27. 1996Ulysses and the Wooden Horse+ RevivalComposer: Timothy Kraemer · Librettist: Timothy Kraemer
  28. 1995The Dancing PrincessesComposer: Bill Connor · Librettist: Nick Renton
  29. 1994AntiphonyComposer: Graham Preskett · Librettist: John Kane
  30. 1993Traveller’s TaleComposer: Michael Kamen · Librettist: Michael Kamen
  31. 1992Listen to the EarthComposer: Steve Gray · Librettist: Sarah Shuckburgh
  32. 1991A Time of MiraclesComposer: Richard Harvey · Librettist: John Kane
  33. 1990Double TroubleComposer: Louisa Lasdun · Librettist: Adam Thorpe
  34. 1989KoppelbergComposer: Steve Gray · Librettist: Norman Brooke
  35. 1988The Return of OdysseusComposer: David Bedford · Librettist: David Bedford
  36. 1987Ulysses and the Wooden HorseComposer: Timothy Kraemer · Librettist: Timothy Kraemer
  37. 1986The Tin KnightComposer: Francis Shaw · Librettist: Michael Finch
  38. 1985Bel and the Dragon+ RevivalComposer: John Gardner · Librettist: Timothy Kraemer
  39. 1984The Adventures of Jonah+ RevivalComposer: Timothy Kraemer · Librettist: Timothy Kraemer and Peter Dickinson
  40. 1983Rainbow PlanetComposer: Christopher Gunning · Librettist: Timothy Rose Price
  41. 1982BirthdayComposer: George Fenton · Librettist: Timothy Kraemer
  42. 1981WenceslasComposer: Timothy Kraemer · Librettist: Timothy Kraemer
  43. 1980Mak the Sheep Stealer*Composer: Herbert Chappell · Librettist: Don Taylor
  44. 1979DreamtimeComposer: Daryl Runswick · Librettist: Daryl Runswick
  45. 1978The Girl and the UnicornComposer: Stephen Oliver · Librettist: Stephen Oliver
  46. 1977The Adventures of JonahComposer: Timothy Kraemer · Librettist: Timothy Kraemer and Peter Dickinson
  47. 1976Like This, Like ThatComposer: Timothy Kraemer · Librettist: Peter Dickinson
  48. 1975Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat*Composer: Andrew Lloyd Webber · Librettist: Tim Rice
  49. 1974The Winter Star*Composer: Malcolm Williamson
  50. 1973Bel and the DragonComposer: John Gardner · Librettist: Timothy Kraemer
  51. 1972The Pied PiperComposer: Christopher Bowers-Broadbent · Librettist: Jeremy Hornsby
  52. 1971Noye’s Fludde*Composer: Benjamin Britten · Librettist: Chester Mystery play

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