Devon Opera

10/06/2026

Carmen 2026 Team: Sasha Bobkova Cruft

Sasha was raised in London, but has family roots in Devon. She's designed costumes for both film and theatre, with work driven by a love of colour, structure, and storytelling.

Sasha joined Devon Opera in 2025 as a costume intern for our production of La Bohème, and we are delighted to welcome her back this year!

Sasha says "I was delighted to be invited back to Devon Opera as Costume and Set Designer for Carmen. Once again, the confidence of the Devon Opera team in my vision and capability as a designer helped me to create work which I am truly proud of. Working on Carmen, a story with so much life and history, has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Melding historical influence with elements of graphic, industrial and multimedia design, the team and I have created a show that strives to overturn the longstanding visual traditions of this phenomenal Opera."

Book your tickets to witness Sasha's beautiful work: https://exeternorthcott.co.uk/events/carmen/

05/06/2026

Izzy is joining the Devon Opera Team as an intern in the Costume department of Carmen! Devon Opera is committed to career development in the industry. Isabelle Whitaker has just completed her second year studying Costume for Screen and Theatre at the University of Arts London. When home in Devon, Isabelle lives on her small family farm, she was schooled locally and attended Exeter College.

She has been passionate about sewing and garment making from an early age and wants to focus her career on costume making.

Hands on experience is vital to pursuing a role after graduating, so Isabelle is thrilled to have been invited to join the Devon Opera team in the 2026 production of Carmen.

She has loved being part of the small team, making skirts, shirts and dresses for the performers in such a short amount of time, and is excited about her first proper experience as a dresser on set.

You can see more of Isabelle’s work and follow her progress on .

27/05/2026

Carmen 2026 Cast Reveal

We cannot wait to welcome Catherine Hooper as Michaela!

Kiwi-British soprano Catherine is a graduate of the Royal College of Music and the universities of Cambridge and St Andrews. She was the recipient of multiple prizes at the 2025 Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Bel Canto Awards, and has participated in several UK young artist programmes, including Opera Prelude, SongEasel, and OperaUpClose.

In the 2026-27 season, she will join the Wexford Factory in Ireland, where she will perform two roles in newly written operas, and she will also make her German debut as the Queen of the Night in "Die Zauberflöte".

Catherine’s recent operatic roles include Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), Musetta in Devon Opera’s La Bohème, Senta (The Flying Dutchman), Vixen Sharp-Ears (The Cunning Little Vixen), and Miss Jessel (The Turn of the Screw).

She makes regular recital tours around China, and you can also spot her on the recent series of "Last One Laughing!"

Lastly, we love her 'day in the life' content on Instagram- it's a must follow!

Book your tickets to see Catherine take to our stage!
https://exeternorthcott.co.uk/events/carmen/

23/05/2026

Tonight! And what a beautiful evening for beautiful singing ❤️

Opera Paradiso, with Devon Opera – One Night Only!

📅 Saturday 23rd May 2026
📍 St Peter, St Paul and St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Bovey Tracey

Prepare to be transported by the magic of Opera Paradiso, a breath-taking gala performance featuring the rising stars of Devon Opera, led by acclaimed Concert Pianist and Musical Director Pavel Timofeyevsky.

Set within the stunning acoustics of one of Bovey Tracey’s most historic churches, this special evening showcases soaring vocals, timeless arias, masterful piano and beautiful ensemble singing — all coming together to create a truly unforgettable musical experience.

🌟 Opera for Everyone
New to opera? This is the perfect introduction — spectacular, welcoming, and right on your doorstep.
There’s no dress code for guests, so come as you feel comfortable while the performers bring elegance and artistry to the stage.

🎟 Tickets & Accessibility
This event serves as a Bovey Paradiso Arts fundraising initiative. A limited number of reduced-price tickets are available for under‑18s and full‑time students (first come, first served).

✨Book your seat now for a night that will lift your spirits: paradiso.org.uk/events

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors: WBW; Tozers; Fine & Country; Co-Op and to our private donors. Their generous support has made this event possible.

21/05/2026

Rising star of the Opera World is the UK's own Emma Roberts who will star in Carmen at Exeter Northcott Theatre in July '26.

Emma is not to be missed in this heady tale of love and death.

Emma can also to be heard previewing music from the Opera with Devon Opera at Bovey Tracey with in an Opera Gala "Paradiso Opera" with Bovey Paradiso Arts this coming Saturday.

Performing for Devon Opera with a quartet of the finest singers in the UK, Emma will make her debut for the company this weekend. With Concert Pianist, Pavel Tomofeyevsky, at the helm in Bovey's historic St Peter, St Paul and St Thomas of Canterbury Church this promises to be a night to remember!

13/05/2026

Carmen 2026 Cast Reveal

We’re beyond excited to announce that Emma Roberts will be performing the iconic role of Carmen in our upcoming production!

A rising talent in the opera world, Emma is a graduate of the Royal College of Music Opera School, and her growing list of achievements marks her out as one to watch.

A National Opera Studio graduate, Emma has taken part in the Samling Artist Programme, the Britten Pears Young Artist Programme, and Orsay-Royaumont Academy.

Emma is also an award-winning performer, having won both 2nd Prize and the Song Prize at the renowned Kathleen Ferrier Awards.

She has further developed her craft as an emerging artist at Garsington Opera, where she continues to impress audiences and critics alike.

We can't wait to experience her bringing passion, depth, and charisma to one of opera’s most captivating roles - as she makes her Carmen debut with Devon Opera.


_roberts_

The hottest tickets in town👉️ https://exeternorthcott.co.uk/events/carmen/

02/05/2026

Opera Paradiso, with Devon Opera – One Night Only!

📅 Saturday 23rd May 2026
📍 St Peter, St Paul and St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Bovey Tracey

Prepare to be transported by the magic of Opera Paradiso, a breath-taking gala performance featuring the rising stars of Devon Opera, led by acclaimed Concert Pianist and Musical Director Pavel Timofeyevsky.

Set within the stunning acoustics of one of Bovey Tracey’s most historic churches, this special evening showcases soaring vocals, timeless arias, masterful piano and beautiful ensemble singing — all coming together to create a truly unforgettable musical experience.

🌟 Opera for Everyone
New to opera? This is the perfect introduction — spectacular, welcoming, and right on your doorstep.
There’s no dress code for guests, so come as you feel comfortable while the performers bring elegance and artistry to the stage.

🎟 Tickets & Accessibility
This event serves as a Bovey Paradiso Arts fundraising initiative. A limited number of reduced-price tickets are available for under‑18s and full‑time students (first come, first served).

✨Book your seat now for a night that will lift your spirits: paradiso.org.uk/events

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors: WBW; Tozers; Fine & Country; Co-Op and to our private donors. Their generous support has made this event possible.

24/04/2026

Carmen 2026 Cast Reveal

We’re delighted to announce that Jack Holton will be joining Devon Opera as Dancairo - the thief and smuggler!

Jack trained at the National Opera Studio and Guildhall School of Music & Drama, and is a recipient of the Opera Awards Foundation bursary, the Musicians’ Company Saloman Seelig Award, and was an Opera Prelude Young Artist.

His recent roles include Maximilian (Candide), Count Almaviva (The Marriage of Figaro), and Ned Keane (Peter Grimes), all with Welsh National Opera.

Other recent highlights include Count Anckarström (Un Ballo in Maschera), La Poigne (Margot la Rouge), and appearances as Fiorello (The Barber of Seville) and the Captor (Tosca) at Opera Holland Park.

Jack has also performed with Chelsea Opera Group, Opera North, and West Green House Opera.

We’re thrilled to welcome him to the company and can’t wait to see him bring Dancairo to life!

Book your tickets now! https://exeternorthcott.co.uk/events/carmen/
jack

18/04/2026

Carmen 2026 Cast Reveal

We’re delighted to introduce soprano Erin Alexander as Frasquita.

Award-winning soprano Erin studied opera on full scholarship at the Conservatorio Luigi Cherubini in Florence, before completing her Master’s at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, supported by scholarships from both the College and the BBC National Chorus of Wales.

Described as “a real spark on stage” by Royal Opera House director Greg Eldridge, Erin’s recent roles include Despina, Adele, Musetta, Barbarina, and Papagena.

She is also a regular guest artist aboard Cunard’s Queen Mary II, performing in opera galas at sea!

Alongside her performing career, Erin teaches for Grange Park Opera, where she has recently been appointed SEN Specialist.

Join us in welcoming Erin to the company as Frasquita!

Book your tickets now! https://exeternorthcott.co.uk/events/carmen/