The tension and dramatic intensity of Orwell’s most favourite novel make it ideal for an operatic staging.

A very strong cast at all levels is headed by Simon Keenlyside as Winston, who tries in vain to find some personal happiness with Julia, to be created by Nancy Gustafson. Richard Margison takes on a Royal Opera role a world away from his more recent Calaf, that of the sinister enforcer of state-control, O’Brien, while Lawrence Brownlee makes his Covent Garden debut as Symes.

Learn more about London operas within the West End.