Current gripes and current joys - Tête à Tête: The Opera Festival returns

Tête à Tête: The Opera Festival returns in 2018 to present another lively programme of opera from the cutting edge, reflecting current affairs, current gripes, and current joys. The festival runs from 26 July to 18 August 2018 in a variety of locations in the King's Cross area, from outdoors in Lewis Cubitt Square to RADA Studios, Kings Place and the Wellcome Collection.

Returning alumni of the festival include Errollyn Wallen, Juice Vocal Ensemble, Edward Lambert, and Tom Randle, and there are new collaborations with the Wellcome Collection and Mid Wales Music Trust with Sinfonia Cymru. The festival is welcoming its first artist in residence, with Li-E Chen's Proposition for a Silent Opera at an Invisible Museum – I am a museum that encompasses an art exhibition in the foyer of The Place from 16 to 18 August, plus performances throughout the week.

Free opera is served in the Cubitt Sessions in Lewis Cubitt Square, with work by BISHI, Errollyn Wallen, Juice Vocal Ensemble, and Aubergine from Muziektheater Transparent, and Tête à Tête’s very own operatic disaster, TOSCATASTROPHE.

McCaldin Arts are bringing Martin Bussey's Mary's Hand about Queen Mary I, Ergo Phizmiz returns with NIBIRU!, the Music Troupe bring Edward Lambert's The Cloak and Dagger Affair based on Lorca, Metta Theatre explore what it is to be aged two with Oliver Brignall's I Do Need Me, and Tom Randle's Love Me To Death features Gillian Keith as Ruth Ellis.

Early Bird tickets are on-sale until 10 July. Full details from the festival website.