HGO brings live opera back to London with an open-air, socially-distanced production of Gustav Holst’s Sāvitri , a tale of life, death, illusion and hope powerfully resonant with our times.

Sāvitri is told by Death that her husband Satyavān is about to die. When he returns from his day’s work in the forest he collapses. Death now offers Sāvitri a wish, and she asks for ‘Life’. Death agrees, but Sāvitri then points out that life for her is indivisible from her husband’s life. Death has been tricked and admits defeat. Satyavān revives: even death, like life, is ‘Māyā’ – illusion.

HGO is dedicated to supporting singers at the start of their careers – they will lead the return of vibrant opera to the capital.

The open-air production of this one-act opera took place, in accordance with government regulations, in the gardens of Lauderdale House, Highgate, with two performances per evening (at 18:30 and 20:00) on Thursday 13th, Saturday 15, Thursday 20th and Saturday 22nd August.

This was a complete performance of the opera, which lasts about 35 minutes.

The production was staged by Julia Mintzer, and conducted by Thomas Payne.

“Music, drama, opera were reborn before our eyes and ears…….. In Julia Mintzer’s thoughtful, elegant staging, we were able to make connections, yet never pushed unduly. Sāvitri (Esme Bronwen Smith) in her struggle with the Death (Theo Perry) that would take her husband could stand for the creative act itself, both abstract and concrete (Holst), but also in a time of pandemic could lead our thoughts elsewhere, whether particular or universal. ‘The world has now become a grave.’” – Mark Berry, Seen and Heard International

“London opera emerges stylishly from lockdown with Hampstead Garden Opera’s timely production of Holst’s chamber piece”. – Yehuda Shapira in The Stage

“A beautiful and hugely memorable evening” – David Winskill in the Hampstead and Highgate Express

**** “The show generated energy from sensitive direction that traded in closeness and distance”. -Neil Fisher in The Times