Mahogany Opera

Mahogany Opera flies in the face of tradition and fashion, producing a total experience of opera.

Formed in 2003 by Frederic Wake-Walker, Mahogany Opera produces lesser-known works of opera with a radical approach creating, in effect, new works while showcasing the talents of young professional artists.

We want to draw artists, performers and production staff together from all the various arts to form a truly synergised group for each unique event, developing new techniques and ideas in a free and creative environment.

Mahogany Opera challenges accepted forms of theatre and develops innovative ways of presenting opera. The space for each performance plays a vital role in each production.

Mahogany Opera rejects naturalism on stage, believing it to be a false method of theatre. Instead, we explore various forms of stylisation and abstraction with a special emphasis on movement.

Mahogany Opera also refrains from denying the audience a complete experience of the theatre by hiding the workings of the stage.

We believe the audience are the key ingredient to a work of theatre. We therefore want to demand more of our audience by engaging more fully with them, appealing to inquisitive minds and giving them greater insight into the workings of each project.

Mahogany Opera

Artistic Director

Frederic Wake-Walker

Trustees

Alexander Vaulkhard
Michael Troughton
Johanna Brenninkmeyer

Secretary

Tom Shortland



Mahogany Opera Trust is a company registered by guarantee in England No.6253627 and a registered charity No.1124026

FREDERIC WAKE-WALKER
Alongside his work with Mahogany, Frederic is a freelance director who has directed shows at Opera North, Scottish Opera and Glyndebourne.  With Jubilee Opera, Mahogany’s associate children’s company, he has directed Britten’s Noye’s Fludde and Brundibar by Hans Krasa.  In 2009 he makes his debut on the continent at La Monnaie, Brussels and returns to Scottish Opera and Glyndebourne.  Also in 2009 he will be furthering his understanding of Noh and Kabuki in Japan with Umewaka-san and Yajuro-san.  He has an Ma (Hons) in Philosophy and Systematic Theology from Edinburgh University.  He lives in Snape, Suffolk where as a treble he sang in three Britten operas at the Snape Maltings.  He has worked as assistant director at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Los Angeles Opera, New York City Opera, Opera North, Glyndebourne Festival and Innsbrucker Festwochen der Altenmusik.

COLLABORATIONS
Aurora Orchestra
Mahogany Opera has forged a close creative association with Aurora Orchestra and we fully expect this relationship to continue and develop.

Formed from a core of 15 principal players and conductor Nicholas Collon, Aurora combines a string quintet with a wind quintet, brass soloists, percussion and keyboard. The result is a flexible ensemble which has been championing the wonderful and varied repertoire of the 20th century alongside intimate performances of well-known masterpieces and revealing arrangements of large-scale symphonic works. The group’s fresh approach to concert-giving has attracted much critical acclaim.

Jubilee Opera
Mahogany Opera have collaborated with the children's opera group, Jubilee Opera, on their last two productions; the fiftieth anniversary performances of Britten’s Noye’s Fludde at the venue of the premiere, Orford Church in November 2008 and a production of Brundibar by Hans Krasa at the Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh in October 2007.