"We are completely bowled over at the response to Festen both from audiences and from the industry, such as this prestigious award. Opera really is the most incredible artform and the stage is a powerful place to let emotional stories ring out and bring to the light really dark subjects; experiencing that communally with 2,500 people every night is one of the best things about it. That level of visceral experience is only born out of wonderful collaboration in the rehearsal room, and this for us was one of the highlights of working on this production. It was amazing as a composer and librettist to be able to change things as we responded to the piece being sung. We’d like to thank everybody involved, from the extraordinary cast and creative team, especially Richard Jones and Edward Gardner, to the entire Royal Opera company who backed us from the start of the process. All over the House people were steadfast in their support from those working in props, front of house, communication, hair and make-up, lighting and technical – everyone – thank you."

Composer Mark-Anthony Turnage and librettist Lee Hall

Adapted from Oscar-winning filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg’s 1998 film of the same name, Festen premiered on the Main Stage from 11- 27 February 2025 and was universally praised by critics, awarding it 4 and 5 star reviews across the board. It has also been recognised by two Olivier Awards: Best New Opera Production and Outstanding Achievement in Opera for Allan Clayton. A co-production with Finnish National Opera, Festen runs in Helsinki 27 March – 7 May 2026. 

Reaffirming the Company’s commitment to new opera, Festen is the latest in a long line of acclaimed new commissions by The Royal Opera including Kaija Saariaho’s Innocence (2023); Oliver Leith’s Last Days (2022) which runs in the Linbury Theatre 5 December 2025 - 3 January 2026; Laura Bowler’s The Blue Woman (2022); George Benjamin’s Written on Skin 2013), Lessons in Love and Violence (2018) and Picture a Day Like This (2023); and Mark-Anthony Turnage's Anna Nicole (2011). 

"I am so pleased that Festen has been recognised by yet another prestigious award. Throughout history, opera has innovated and spoken into the issues of the day, and it is vital that The Royal Opera expands the canon by commissioning today’s great composers to write bold new works. I do believe Festen will be added to the long list of masterpieces regularly performed by opera houses around the world. Huge congratulations to the world-class talent and all my colleagues at Covent Garden who brought this production to the stage."

Oliver Mears, Director of Opera, The Royal Opera

To find out more about the production, including key plot points and background information: read our Festen Opera Essentials page.

To watch cast and creatives discuss the production, watch our Festen (2025): Insight on RBO Stream.