About HGO

OUR AIM ADVANCING YOUNG SINGERS
HGO stages first-class award-winning opera, with vibrant young singers and live orchestra, twice a year in London at affordable prices. Our standards of singing, acting, playing and production, coupled with the extraordinary intimacy of our venues brings opera to life – a way that even major opera houses cannot achieve.
And it provides unique opportunities for young singers – the professionals of the future – to perform in a theatre, before audiences, roles that early in their careers, they couldn’t be given in the big opera companies. Many are recent graduates from music college or students approaching the end of their course. They are hungry for experience in staged productions of our quality and excitement, and they value the boost that a major role with HGO can give them on their way to a successful career.
HGO is a registered charity: we have no paid staff, no premises, no overheads. We are entirely dedicated to forwarding our objectives.
Success Stories – support HGO and see where your generous donations lead.
OUR OUTREACH THE COMMUNITY OF NORTH LONDON
HGO has grown thanks not least to our North London audiences and community. We are developing initiatives with schools and community organizations to work with them in spreading the magic of opera and music and to grow new and wider audiences.
OUR HISTORY OVER 30 YEARS OF OPERA
HGO was founded, as ‘Hampstead Garden Opera’, by Roy Budden in 1990, originating from the opera classes run by him at the Hampstead Garden Institute. Under Roy, and his successor Alastair Macgeorge (our Chairman Emeritus), it steadily grew in reputation and competence.
Originally intended to concentrate on the operas of Mozart, its repertoire has extended from the works of Monteverdi to contemporary opera. Each production is led by remarkable young production and music directors. In recent years productions have taken place at Jackson’s Lane Theatre in Highgate.
HGO is frequently nominated for awards, and won the Off-West End Opera Award for its 2012 production of ‘Così fan tutte’ and the NODA London Opera Award for its 2020 production of ‘La bohème’.

HOWARD WILLIAMS
HGO Co-PRESIDENT
Director of HGO Trust Ltd and Charity Trustee.

EMMA KIRKBY DBE
HGO Co-PRESIDENT
Director of HGO Trust Ltd and Charity Trustee.
HGO PEOPLE MEET THE TEAM
HGO is the performing arm of the not-for-profit organisation HGO Trust Ltd. The Trust is a registered charity (no.1168484) and consists of a Board of Directors and Trust Members, all of whom give their services on a voluntary basis. The Trust ha no employees or overhead expenses, and dedicates its entire income directly to its objectives of advancing young singers through the presentation of high-quality opera productions and associated activities.
We are always glad to consider active new Members for the Trust and/or the Committee who are keen to support and develop our activities. Please contact Chairman, David Conway, if you are interested in joining us.

David Conway
chairman
Director of HGO Trust Ltd and Charity Trustee. Chair of Executive Committee.

Alastair macgeorge
chairman Emeritus

Martin musgrave
deputy chairman
Director of HGO Trust Ltd and Charity Trustee.

David Conway
chairman
Director of HGO Trust Ltd and Charity Trustee. Executive Committee member.

Alastair macgeorge
chairman Emeritus
Director of HGO Trust Ltd and Charity Trustee. Executive Committee member.

Martin musgrave
deputy chairman
Director of HGO Trust Ltd and Charity Trustee. Executive Committee member.

Roger Sainsbury
board member
Director of HGO Trust Ltd and Charity Trustee. Executive Committee member.

Philip sheffield
artistic planning
Director of HGO Trust Ltd and Charity Trustee. Executive Committee member.

kathy dallas
human resources
Director of HGO Trust Ltd and Charity Trustee. Executive Committee member.

Roger Sainsbury
board member
Director of HGO Trust Ltd and Charity Trustee. Executive Committee member.

Philip sheffield
artistic planning
Executive Committee member.

kathy dallas
human resources
Executive Committee member.

bill english
finance
Director of HGO Trust Ltd and Charity Trustee. Executive Committee member.

Richard hall
friends secretary
Executive Committee member.

bill english
finance
Executive Committee member.

Richard hall
friends secretary
Executive Committee member.