Trial by Jury & The Zoo

We are looking at two contrasting examples of nineteenth-century comic opera in this double bill. You will hear Arthur Sullivan’s familiar wit in Trial by Jury, which parodies the legalities of a breach of promise case. Listen for the way the courtroom proceedings are elevated through grand musical structures, despite the absurdity of the plot. The second half features The Zoo, a work by Sullivan and B.C. Stephenson. In this piece, you should listen for how the music captures the public atmosphere of the London gardens, particularly in the character-driven solos that navigate a humorous tale of romance and mistaken identities. Together, these works create a bright, rhythmic evening that moves quickly between satire and farce. The orchestration across both pieces is light and nimble, reflecting the popularity of these miniature operas as they were originally conceived for the London stage. There is a continuous sense of momentum throughout, as the evening is shaped to highlight the vocal dexterity required for these short, sharp theatrical vignettes.

The English National Opera is the resident company at the London Coliseum, known for its commitment to performing works in English. They are joined by conductor Peter Whelan, who leads a cast including Mary Bevan, Robert Murray, Madeleine Shaw, Neal Davies, and Alaric Green. The ensemble is recognized for its theatrical versatility and its ability to bring large-scale production values to a wide variety of lyric repertoire. The soloists appearing in this production are frequent collaborators with major UK houses, often lauded for their clear diction and comedic timing in character-led roles.

This performance at the London Coliseum in London runs for approximately 85 minutes safely including both works. Because the total duration is under an hour and a half, it is an excellent choice for first-time opera-goers or those preferring a shorter evening without a long interval. As with all English National Opera productions, the singing will be in English. There is no formal dress code at this venue; most attendees choose smart-casual attire. You should note that ticket prices for this date start from thirty pounds, though availability at this entry level may be limited.