At the Olivier Awards with Mastercard last night, Sunday 6 April, at the Royal Albert Hall, The Royal Opera was delighted to be recognised with two awards. 

by Ruth Haines

Monday 7 April 2025

The Tait Award for Best New Opera Production went to the Company’s sell-out world premiere production of Festen*, directed by Richard Jones. Bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel presented the award to composer Mark-Anthony Turnage, librettist Lee Hall, and soprano Natalya Romaniw who sang the role of Helena. They paid tribute to the fabulous creative team, cast, Orchestra of The Royal Opera House, Royal Opera Chorus, actors, crew and The Royal Opera team. In total, it took 460 people to bring Festen to the stage. 

Adapted from Oscar-winning filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg’s 1998 film of the same name, the opera, set at the birthday party of a wealthy hotelier, sees decorum descend into chaos, as its story of trauma and complicity gradually unfolds. Premiered in February 2025 to 5-star reviews, the work was nominated alongside fellow Royal Opera productions The Tales of Hoffmann* and L’Olimpiade* as well as Duke Bluebeard’s Castle by English National Opera. 

Composer Mark-Anthony Turnage and Librettist Lee Hall said 'We are completely blown away by this award, it is such an honour to have won. Creating Festen was an incredible experience and is testimony to the power of opera to tackle really difficult subjects that are, heartbreakingly, all too prevalent today. One of the great privileges of working on this opera was the possibility to workshop the piece as we wrote it. It was amazing as a composer and librettist to be able to change things as we responded to the piece being sung. Everyone has been unstinting in their efforts to make this very challenging piece happen. It has been a complete team effort. There was a very special camaraderie in the room as we worked on it together. We’d like to thank everybody involved, from the extraordinary cast and creative team, especially Richard Jones and Edward Gardner, to the entire Royal Opera company who backed us from the start of the process. All over the House people were steadfast in their support from those working in props, front of house, communication, hair and make-up, lighting and technical – everyone – thank you.' 

In the Outstanding Achievement in Opera category, tenor Allan Clayton won for creating the role of Christian in the world premiere production of Festen. Portraying a son who confronts his father about his childhood abuse, Clayton brought his customary dedication to the role and sang with heartbreaking intensity. Turnage and Hall collected the award on behalf of Clayton, who was unable to be there in person.

Allan Clayton, tenor, said: 'Thank you to Mark and Lee for creating an astonishing new piece of music drama; to everyone at the RBO, on/off/under the stage; to the props team for the fifteen gallons of fake wine; and to Richard Jones, Edward Gardner, and the phenomenal cast.'

Oliver Mears, Director of Opera, The Royal Opera said: 'A huge congratulations to Allan for winning this prestigious award. Festen was one of the most incredibly intense and powerful pieces of theatre in recent times, and Allan was a crucial part of this. He is the most dedicated and generous performer, fully committing himself to not just bringing a character to life but, in the case of Christian, creating the role for the world premiere production. It was a formidable evening in which Allan set the standard for future performances.'

Also nominated in this category was mezzo-soprano and former Jette Parker Young Artist Aigul Akhmetshina for her performance of Carmen in Damiano Michieletto's searing new production of Bizet’s much-loved opera for The Royal Opera. 

We are delighted that Christopher Wheeldon, Artistic Associate of The Royal Ballet was also recognised with the Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer for his work on MJ The Musical at the Prince Edward Theatre. Myles Frost and the cast also performed Beat It from the production, demonstrating Wheeldon’s work to the whole Royal Albert Hall.