Join us this summer for St Paul’s Opera’s lively and heartwarming festival production: Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore (The Elixir of Love), reimagined with a distinctly local flavour and plenty of laughs.

Set in a hospital ward in post-war Clapham, this clever new take on the classic comic opera follows Matron Adina as she keeps order among patients, staff, and neighbours—while the mysterious Dr Dulcamara offers his "miracle cure" to anyone in need. Expect passion, mischief, and a dash of wartime nostalgia, all brought to life with brilliant music and a touch of Clapham quirk.

Directed by Eloise Lally and conducted by Adrian Salinero, this fresh production celebrates the resilience and spirit of post-war Britain.

Evening Performances - 3rd – 5th July at 7:15 PM - Gates open at 5:30 PM

Tickets:

£37.50 (advanced) + booking fee
£42.50 (on the door, subject to availability)

Relaxed Family Matinée – Saturday, 5 July at 2:00 PM - Gates open at 1:00PM

Perfect for families and anyone who prefers a more informal opera experience, this special matinée includes fun interval entertainment for children.

Tickets:

Adults: £15 (advance) + booking fee / £20 (on the door)

Children: £3 (advance) + booking fee / £5 (on the door)

This performance is especially welcoming to families involved in our schools outreach programme and to new audiences discovering opera for the first time.

Arrive early and enjoy a picnic in the beautiful church grounds. You can reserve a table and chairs when booking – limited availability, so book early!

New this year: Numbered seating! When booking, you’ll be able to choose your seat in the main church or on the balcony (note: balcony not suitable for children).

The Creatives:

  • Musical Director - Adrian Salinero

    Adrian is a London-based Basque Spanish pianist, repetiteur and vocal coach. His recent operatic engagements include Simon Boccanegra (Verdi) with Grange Park Opera, Maria de Rudenz (Donizetti) with Gothic Opera, Acis and Galatea (Handel) with Opera Holland Park, and The Two Widows (Smetana) with Birmingham Opera Company. He has also premiered contemporary works such as The Masque of Vengeance and Duchess of Padua by Edward Lambert. This marks his third collaboration with St Paul's Opera, where he previously served as Music Director for Little Red Riding Hood (Cesar Cui) and the Endless Pleasure Opera Gala.

  • Director - Eloise Lally

    Eloise is an international opera and theatre director. Recent productions include of Bellini’s ‘The Capulets & The Montague’s’ with English Touring Opera and Purcell’s ‘The Fairy Queen’ for Hampstead Garden Opera, which was nominated for Off West End awards, in the Best Opera Production and Best Opera Performance categories. Previously, Eloise has worked as a revival director for Katie Mitchell’s operatic productions at The Liceu, Oper Koln, WNO and Opera National de Bordeaux. As an assistant, she has worked with Louisa Muller at Garsington Opera, Ella Marchment for Wexford Opera Festival and Paul Carr for ‘Powder Her Face’ with the Netherlands Reisoper. She has an MA in Theatre Directing from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and a 1st class Ba in Theatre from University of Surrey.

  • Designer - Ted Blackburn

    Ted started his career as a dancer graduating in classical and contemporary ballet from the Accademia Teatro Alla Scala in Milan, performing in many ballets and operas alongside greats such as Roberto Bolle, Svetlana Zakharova and Placido Domingo. Also in Milan, he completed a Master in Performing Arts Management. Now a stagehand at the ROH, Ted works on full scale productions of both opera and ballet as well as furthering his interests in production and direction. Last autumn he produced the opera Aqua Tofana for the Tête À Tête Festival, presenting an original contemporary chamber opera based on the life of 1600s serial killer/anti-hero Giulia Tofana.

The Cast

  • Patricia Ninian

    Patricia began her solo career a few decades ago in Westminster Abbey, but more recently, she completed the Morley College Opera Performance Programme. In 2013, she founded St Paul’s Opera (SPO) and sang Madame Goldentrill (Der Schauspieldirektor) and Nella (Gianni Schicchi) in the inaugural production. In subsequent years, she has sung Liu (Turandot), Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), Queen of the Night (Die Zauberflöte), Eurydice (Orpheus in the Underworld), Despina (Così fan Tutte), Marcellina (Le Nozze di Figaro) and Miss Wordsworth (Albert Herring). In the SPO production of Die Fledermaus, Patricia made a guest appearance in the role of Tawdry Hepburn! Patricia continues to sing regularly with SPO at galas, Christmas pantos and oratorio concerts, as well as being a regular cantor for St Paul’s Church. However, she gains as much enjoyment in being part of the development of the company, particularly in seeing singers joining SPO and developing their talent through the production process, as well as nurturing the opera community of the future through the Schools Outreach Programme.

  • Ashley Mercer

    Ashley graduated Masters with distinction from the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance (TCM Trust Scholar & a Kathleen Roberts scholar) and was awarded the Paul Simm Opera Prize. Credits include: Luka - The Bear (Wexford Festival Opera); Morales - Carmen and Frank – Die Fledermaus (St Paul’s Opera); Antonio - The Marriage of Figaro (Waterperry Opera Festival); Enrico - Lucia di Lammermoor, Maestro Spinelloccio - Gianni Schicchi (Fulham Opera), Messiah (Merry Opera); Leporello - Don Giovanni (Regents Opera); This summer Ashley will sing the roles of Dulcamara - L'elisir d'amore (SPO) and Schaunard – La Bohème (Regents Opera).

  • Bridget Coaker

    Bridget is a London-based amateur singer who has performed with several choirs and opera companies. She began singing at the age of four and took part in her first opera at age eleven. Recent chorus roles include Carmen and Die Fledermaus with St Paul’s Opera, and Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg with Saffron Walden Opera Company. She will next appear in The Flying Dutchman with Saffron Walden Opera.

  • Caitlin Hockley

    Caitlin is a Cardiff born Soprano, who graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with a Bachelor of Music. Last summer she performed with Dorset Opera in the chorus for their productions of ‘Madama Butterfly’ and a new commissioned opera ‘Under the Greenwood Tree’ by Paul Carr. She is currently competing in the National Eisteddfod of Wales and the Llangollen International Musical Festival this summer. Finally, she looks forward to being cover Giannetta for her second appearance with St Paul’s Opera.

  • Caity Farrant Shaw

    Caity is a soprano in the final year of her Masters at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, where she studies under Lynton Atkinson and is the recipient of the Kathleen Roberts Scholarship. She completed her undergraduate studies at City University of London, where she held a Performance Scholarship and graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Music. Recent operatic roles within Trinity Laban Opera Scenes include Mrs. Gobineau in Menotti’s ‘The Medium’, Kartenaufshlägerin in Strauss’ ‘Arabella’ and Musetta in Puccini’s ‘La bohème’. 

  • Dominic Westwood

    Dominic was born and raised in Sydney and has been in London since 2017. Dominic did a bachelors at Trinity Laban Conservatoire where he studied under Neil Baker and was coached by Helen Yorke. Dominic is a young tenor who is building his experience, he has performed with Blackheath opera company, Morley College Opera School and Trinity Laban opera scenes. Dominic made his SPO debut in last summer’s production of Die Fledermaus. Dominic also recently sang and debuted Don José in Opera Integra's Carmen.

  • Edvard Adde

    Edvard is an Anglo-Norse Award holder supported by the Maria Björnson Memorial Fund Award. Edvard got his bachelor's degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and is currently doing his master's at the Royal College of Music where he studies with the bass Jonathan Lemalu and Gary Matthewman. Edvard just performed the role of Beppe in the opera Pagliacci by Leoncavallo with North Wales Opera Studio. Earlier this March he played the role of Don Curzio in Le Nozze di Figaro by Mozart in the Royal College of musics production. Last summer he covered the role of Ernesto in Don Pasquale by Donizetti for Scherzo Ensemble at Longhope Opera. In 2021 he was awarded second place in the junior Kathleen Ferrier competition. The same year he made his operatic debut as Rinuccio in the opera Gianni Schicchi by Puccini for Opera Rogaland in Norway. In 2022 he reprised the role in Palermo, Italy.

  • Fiona Hymns

    Fiona has performed across the UK and Europe for companies including Grange Park Opera, Buxton Festival, Longborough Festival Opera and Festival d'Aix-en-Provance. Notable recent roles include Santuzza/Nedda (Verismo, Opera on Location) Cendrillon (Cendrillon, St Paul's Opera) and Donna Elvira (City Music Services). She is in demand as a concert soloist, including a forthcoming performance of Handel’s Alexander’s Feast with London Lawyers Music. Fiona is also a experienced vocal leader, directing the choir for the family service at St Peter's Eaton Square and East-London community choir, Women Sing East. 

  • Isabella Roberts

    Isabella completed her Master of Music with distinction at Trinity Laban Conservatoire in 2024, studying under Neil Baker and Panaretos Kyriatzidis. She is now a freelance singer under the tutelage of Nicholas Powell. At Trinity, she performed roles including the Governess (The Turn of the Screw), Marguerite (Faust), and Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro). In recent years, Isabella has worked regularly with St Paul’s Opera, singing the role of Emmie in Britten’s Albert Herring and appearing in concerts such as Sacred Voices Resound, the David Butt Philip and Friends Gala, and the Christmas opera-pantomime Little Red and the Big Bad.

  • Llewellyn St David

    Llewellyn originally trained as an actor, performing in a range of dramatic roles before stepping away from the stage to prioritise his mental well-being. After several years away from performance, a chance opportunity brought him back to the stage in last year’s production of Die Fledermaus, rekindling his passion for music and theatre.

    Though not formally trained as a singer, Llewellyn brings a strong theatrical background and a deep appreciation for ensemble performance. He is delighted to be performing alongside such a talented group of artists and is committed to making the most of every opportunity to share the stage.

  • Martins Smaukstelis

    Martins is a Latvian-born tenor and the winner of the Emmy Destinn Awards 2024. His operatic roles include Rodolfo in La bohème (The Opera Makers, Devon Opera), Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto (New Opera Singapore), Tamino in Die Zauberflöte (Nevill Holt Festival, Charles Court Opera), Prince in Dvořák's Rusalka (New Opera Singapore), Vladimir Lensky in Eugene Onegin (HGO), and both Calaf in Turandot and Cavaradossi in Tosca (Salon Opera). He has also performed the role of Adrian in Hopes & Fears, based on Debussy’s L’enfant prodigue, as well as Heinrich in Ethel Smyth’s Der Wald and Faust in Lili Boulanger’s Faust et Hélène in concert performances with The Opera Makers. Martins is also active on the concert stage, performing oratorio works including Mozart’s Requiem and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.

  • Ted Day


    Ted is an emerging artist who has just graduated from postgraduate study at the Royal College of Music, where he studied with Tim Evans-Jones and Bryan Evans MBE and held the Douglas and Hilda Simmonds scholarship. His recent performances include Courtier in Hampstead Garden Opera’s production of La Cenorentola, Baritone in Song Queen: A Pidgin Opera at the Royal Albert Hall and Wilton’s Music Hall, and HE in Cupboard Love at the Royal College of Music. Ted’s opera credits also include Fanny in Fanny and Stella’s Last Day Out and Kromow in The Merry Widow, both with the Royal College of Music’s Opera Studio; Harašta in The Cunning Little Vixen and Ariodate in Serse, with Byre Opera.Ted has appears frequently as a soloist, and has worked with many prominent groups, including the Charles Wood Singers, Collegium Warwick, the Lloyd Singers, St Albans Chamber Choir, Putney Choral Society and Fulham Camerata. Ted is delighted to make his role and company debut as Belcore with St Paul’s Opera.

  • Thomas Rayner

    Thomas read Music at Durham University, where he was active as a solo singer and in various choirs. Since graduating in 2023, he has been studying singing with Jenny Hill in London, and is now pleased to be making his operatic debut with such a fine company, in one of his favourite operas.