10 February 2026 The Marriage of Figaro
Danielle de Niese Makes Directing Debut in The Marriage of Figaro
Wild Arts today announces its Summer 2026 Opera Tour, featuring a brand new production of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, directed by international opera star Danielle de Niese in her directing debut, alongside a new version of its popular introduction-to-opera show, An Evening of Opera, directed by Guido Martin-Brandis.
The Marriage of Figaro
Wild Arts’ full opera production for Summer 2026 is Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, presented in a fresh, intimate new staging.
The production will be directed by Danielle de Niese, marking her debut as a director. It will feature a new English translation and chamber orchestration by Wild Arts’ Artistic Director Orlando Jopling, created especially for the company’s distinctive small-scale touring model.
Of the partnership with Wild Arts, Danielle de Niese said:
“It is a great honor to be invited to direct for the first time. I feel my work on the stage has been recognised by my peers and having had a producer role in the BBC’s La Voix Humaine, I am excited to add another string to my bow in this directing debut. My artistic identity has always been rooted in a deep synthesis between singing and storytelling, character exploration, and the personal investment in and interpretation of any role I take on. That’s why the ethos of Wild Arts resonated so much – their intimate, beautifully stripped-back approach puts the characters and story front and centre and I couldn’t be more excited to be working with such an authentic and inspiring company for this new production of The Marriage of Figaro.
Orlando Jopling, Artistic Director of Wild Arts, added:
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Danielle de Niese to the creative team for this summer’s production of The Marriage of Figaro. Danielle brings an extraordinary instinct for character, storytelling, and emotional truth, qualities that sit at the very heart of how we make opera. Her experience as one of the world’s great singers and actresses, combined with her infectious energy and imagination, makes her a perfect fit for Wild Arts. We can’t wait to explore the magic of Figaro together and to share this fresh, intimate take on this iconic cornerstone of opera with audiences across the country.”
The cast for the production will be announced at the end of February.
The Marriage of Figaro opens with a three-night run at the Wild Arts Summer Opera Festival at Layer Marney Tower, near Colchester in Essex, before touring nationally to regional theatres and festivals, as well as a return visit to London’s Opera Holland Park.
An Evening of Opera
An Evening of Opera is Wild Arts’ accessible introduction to opera, performed by four singers and a string quintet. The show brings together favourite opera arias and ensembles alongside numbers from classic musicals, into a narrative designed to welcome newcomers while delighting seasoned audiences.
A new version of the show is created each year. The 2026 edition is devised and directed by Guido Martin-Brandis, who previously collaborated with Wild Arts on its acclaimed production of Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love.
The tour will visit historic houses across Essex, East Anglia, the Cotswolds, and the South West.