Delighted to be able to share this clip from the final of the BSO Calleva Conducting Competition. The stormy final movement of Britten’s Sea Interludes! Credit: @bsorchestra
Massively happy with some of these new headshots from @barleynimmo . Safe to say I find being on the podium much more comfortable than a photo shoot, but Barley really helped me to have such a fun time. My website (link in bio) has been updated too with some upcoming dates!
What an incredible privilege it was to conduct the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra for this lunchtime concert in one of my all time favourite works.
Thank you so much to the players and management of the @bbcsso , @rcsofficial and, of course, Martyn Brabbins, for making this possible.
THE RAPE OF LUCRETIA - HAMPSTEAD GARDEN OPERA
Such a privilege to lead another fantastic production with HGO, especially working with director superstars Alex Gotch, and Eleanor Burke (our fifth production together!)
Thanks also to the brilliant Kentaro Machida for being a wonderful assistant and leading the cover cast so well in their performance.
I’m delighted to share that the critics thought the music was as good as I did, and have attached some snippets here. It was great too to celebrate a birthday midway through the run!
P.S Slide 4 for the pre show warm up routine. I adore the beautiful humans of this cast.
Directors - @alexgotch & @eleanorjoyburke
Conductor - Oliver Cope
Designer - Jennifer Gregory
Lighting Designer - Cheng Keng
Assistant Director - @katie__blackwell
Assistant Conductor - @kentaromachida.conductor
Stage Manager - Alexandra Brown
Assistant Stage Manager - Charlie Tiernan
Production Manager - Ida Pontopiddan
Repetiteur - Lucy Colquhoun
FEMALE CHORUS - @liberellazwischenfach
MALE CHORUS - @danielgraybelltenor
LUCRETIA - @emma._roberts_
TARQUINIUS - @stephenwhitfordbaritone
COLLATINUS - @07_oleksii_07
JUNIUS - @max_catalano
BIANCA - @miaserracino_mezzo
LUCIA - @sopranonikkimartin
Violin 1: @willclarkviolin
Violin 2: @calyssadavidson
Viola: Cameron Howe
Cello: @thomasvidal94
Double Bass: @dancleave
Harp: @aishapalmer_harp
Percussion: @max.heaton
Flute: @chrismichieflute
Oboe: Alex Franklin
Clarinet: @george_blakesley
Bassoon: @hughbertibass
Horn: @alice.gj.knight
As we move to our last 4 Lucretia performances, I'm excitedly preparing for a busy few months ahead! Grateful as ever for the opportunities with amazing orchestras.
Be kind as I’m a novice for this kind of post! But here is a quick look at a day of rehearsals with @hgopera . We opened last night, but some tickets still remain for other shows!
So proud of our amazing cast for @hgopera ’s The Rape of Lucretia. It’s been such a privilege making music with these wonderful people. Toi toi toi to all for tonight.
Last month I had the chance to audition for positions with @the_halle (@conductorscomp ) and @englishnationalopera for the Mackerras Fellowship. In both cases, I was pleased to get as far as I did, but didn’t quite make the final step.
I wasn’t sure whether to post about these experiences, as it’s always easier to share the wins. But both experiences mattered a great deal to me. I learned a huge amount, and it was a real privilege to work with ensembles of this calibre. I also felt proud of the level of my preparation, getting through more repertoire in a shorter space of time than I ever have before (see slide 3)!
Feeling very motivated for what’s ahead, with projects / auditions coming up with @bsorchestra@mozarteumorchester@bambergsymphony@britishyouthopera@hgopera@drorchester
Oliver Cope (UK)
Meet Oliver Cope — one of the eight candidates for the Siemens–Hallé International Conductors Competition 2026.
In today’s Q&A, he talks about bringing music to life.
– Give us three words to describe yourself.
Join us for the Final on Tuesday, 31 March 2026 at The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.
Tickets available now!
Stay tuned — and good luck, Oliver!
#SiemensHalléConductorsCompetition #HalléOrchestra #Orchestra #Conducting #ClassicalMusic #FutureOfMusic #YoungTalents #SHICC26
@the_halle@Siemens_uk@hallestpeters@bridgewaterhall@conductorscomp@olivercopeconductor
Looking forward to diving straight into work in 2026, starting with a collaboration with the Sanremo Symphony Orchestra and the talented violinist Stefania Mochnacheva in Italy this week!
One memory from each month of a great 2025. Can’t wait for lots of exciting things to come in 2026!
January - Working with the Athens Philharmonia in Brahms’ 4th Symphony
February - Candid shot from concerts with the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra
March - Being awarded the Off West End Award for Best Opera Performance with HGO’s Eugene Onegin
April - Snapped with the maestro @gianlucamarciano , assisting on Grange Park Opera’s Simon Boccanegra
May - Performing at the piano for the opening of Grange Park’s Treetop Studio
June - Spending time with Paul Daniel observing his brilliant Die Fledermaus rehearsals
July - Participating in the Lliria Music Fesitval Conducting Competition
August - A rehearsal snap during the Lead Foundation’s annual festival in Fiskars, Finland.
September - A snippet from concert with the Danish Philharmonic Orchestra.
October - Receiving the 1st Prize and Orchestra Prize at the Koussewitsky International Conducting Competition.
November - Giving my website an overhaul.
December - Touring the most ridiculous new concert venue with the team at @drorchester
I'm delighted to announce my participation in the Kussewitsky International Conducting Competition, where I had the privilege of working with the Citta di Grosssetto Orchestra for two days. I'm overjoyed to have received both the 1st Prize from the Jury and the Orchestra Prize. Congratulations to @michal.oren and @bella_mengru_z , and sincere gratitude to the jury. I'm looking forward to returning to Italy next year for several debuts.
