Before You Close This Handbook…
Every commission starts somewhere.
Every opera in our archive began as an idea shared by a writing team.
All of them changed through discussion, rehearsal and collaboration. That's the nature and joy of creating a new work.
If you've reached the end of this handbook, we hope it has given you a clearer sense of how we commission, develop and produce new opera at London Youth Opera.
What we're looking for
We're not looking for finished works.
We're looking for compelling stories, memorable characters and a clear idea of the musical style that our performers will enjoy bringing to life.
Most importantly, we're looking for ideas with the potential to grow through collaboration.
Your proposal is the beginning of that conversation.
Every commission is different
There is no single formula for writing a successful London Youth Opera commission.
Every writing team brings a different voice, different influences and a different way of telling stories.
The guidance throughout this handbook reflects what we've learnt over many years of commissioning new work, but it is intended to support your creativity, never to limit it.
We hope you'll surprise us.
Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to explore the handbook and our recent commissions.
Whether you decide to submit a proposal this year or simply return to these pages as your ideas develop, we hope they've proved useful.
Creating new opera is a collaborative process, and we're always excited to discover new voices and new stories.
Don't hold back. Writing for young voices isn't a compromise — it's a creative choice.
Your next step
When you're ready, we'd love to hear from you. The next page explains exactly what to include in your proposal and how to submit it. We look forward to reading your ideas.
Begin Your Pitch