From First Idea to Opening Night.

The Timeline

Fifteen milestones. One shared journey.

Tap any stage to explore it further.

1. Stage 01An Informal ConversationTalk to us about your ideas at any stage.

   Stage 01 · 🌱

   An Informal Conversation

   Long before any formal proposal, we welcome quiet, exploratory conversations. Bring a fragment of an idea, a favourite story, or simply a curiosity about our company — we would rather talk early than late.

2. Stage 02Submit Your ProposalShare a story that excites us.
3. Stage 03Commission AwardedMeet the team and begin your commission.
4. Stage 04Kick-off MeetingIntroduce the process and agree how the collaboration will develop.
5. Stage 05Scene-by-Scene BreakdownCreate the structural blueprint for your opera before detailed writing begins.
6. Stage 06First LibrettoDevelop the story through discussion, feedback and revision.
7. Stage 07Vocal ScoreComplete the vocal score ready for professional presentation.
8. Stage 08June Sing-throughHear the complete opera performed for the first time by four professional singers with the Musical Director at the piano.
9. Stage 09RevisionReflect on feedback and strengthen the work before final vocal score approval.
10. Stage 10OrchestrationPrepare the full orchestral score and parts.
11. Stage 11The PicnicMeet the company as the new commission is introduced and performers sign up for the production.
12. Stage 12RehearsalsThe cast receive their music and begin making the opera their own.
13. Stage 13Orchestra & SitzprobeA dedicated orchestral rehearsal, followed by orchestra-and-cast rehearsal and a full run-through.
14. Stage 14Opening NightMonths of collaboration become a live performance.
15. Stage 15Life Beyond the PremièreEvery commission becomes part of the London Youth Opera archive.

The Creative Development

How the opera develops.

A tailored schedule of creative deadlines is agreed with each writing team after the kick-off meeting, allowing time for collaboration, reflection and revision. Individual projects progress at different speeds — that's a feature, not a flaw.

1. Step 01
   Idea
2. Step 02
   Scene Breakdown
3. Step 03
   Libretto
4. Step 04
   Creative Feedback
5. Step 05
   Vocal Score
6. Step 06
   Professional Sing-through
7. Step 07
   Revision
8. Step 08
   Final Vocal Score
9. Step 09
   Orchestration