CUOS: Cambridge University Opera Society

‘How Much Land Does a Man Need?’ – Eoin Jenkins 🚷

Here are some photos from our third and final opera of CUOS Shorts 2026: a haunting biblical parable about excessive greed, based on a short story by Leo Tolstoy. Come along at 8pm to discover why you should think twice before bargaining with the Devil…

Photographs courtesy of the wonderful !

‘The Second Death’ – Zane Soonawalla ⚰️

Here are a few snaps from the first of our CUOS Shorts 2026: a tense psychological drama arising from a tumultuous funeral. Come along at 8pm to find out why these members of the congregation are so uneasy…

Photographs courtesy of the wonderful !

Big news: applications are now open to join the CUOS Junior Committee for 2026-7! Committee members have the opportunity to select CUOS' annual programme of shows, network with student creatives across the university, gain all-important experience in arts administration, and contribute to the maintenance of one of Cambridge's most long-established student societies.

We're currently looking for the following roles: President, Vice President, Production Manager, Publicity Manager, and one or more Enrichment Officers. More information about these roles can be found via the link in our bio, or via the CUOS website.

The deadline for expressions of interest, which should be sent to Livia at [email protected], is 5pm on Friday 13th March. No prior experience in opera is required. We look forward to hearing from you!

Fancy playing for a highly anticipated student premiere? We're now looking for an orchestra for Rosalind, our Easter Term Show 2026! Please contact Thomas ([email protected]) before 9pm on Sunday 8th March to express your interest. See the application pack in our bio for more information on the instruments and time commitment required.

CUOS Mainshow Poster!

Three weeks to go! Get your tickets using the link in the bio!

Thanks to Harry Mackenzie Ashley for the fantastic poster!

See you there!

Our Mainshow is looking for a tenor to play the role of Fenton.

Anna and Fenton are desperately in love despite Anna's parents wanting her to marry almost anyone but him! But she has a cunning plan to trick her suitors, defy her parents, and marry the man of her dreams.

Although Fenton is the tenor lead, it is not an overly large or demanding part - with one small aria and a couple of duets. The range required is from the E below middle C to the A above middle C.

This is a fantastic opportunity to get involved in CUOS this term. Not to be missed!

Please contact [email protected] for more information.

The application deadline for CUOS Shorts has been extended to 5pm on the 4th of February! Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to get involved with the semi-professional premiere of 3 brand-new operas: there are singing and speaking roles available.

We're now accepting video auditions for CUOS Shorts 2026!

Shorts presents a fantastic, low-commitment opportunity to perform in the premiere of a brand-new opera. Our programme this year will comprise three student-written chamber operas: Zane Soonawalla’s ‘The Second Death’, George Akka’s ‘Train Talk’, and Eoin Jenkins’ ‘How Much Land Does a Man Need?’. See the link in our bio for more information.

To apply, please email us ([email protected]) a self-tape of an aria of your choice. Piano accompaniment is welcome, but not necessary. Please also inform us which operas, and roles, you’d like to be considered for. The deadline for applications is 5pm on the 28th January.

We look forward to hearing from you!

We're now accepting video auditions for CUOS Shorts 2026!

Shorts presents a fantastic, low-commitment opportunity to perform in the premiere of a brand-new opera. Our programme this year will comprise three student-written chamber operas: Zane Soonawalla’s ‘The Second Death’, George Akka’s ‘Train Talk’, and Eoin Jenkins’ ‘How Much Land Does a Man Need?’. See the link in our bio for more information.

To apply, please email us ([email protected]) a self-tape of an aria of your choice. Piano accompaniment is welcome, but not necessary. Please also inform us which operas, and roles, you’d like to be considered for. The deadline for applications is 5pm on the 28th January.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Applications for the prod team for the Mainshow: Merry Wives of Windsor are still open!
Please have a look at our Prod Pack for more information. Link in bio!
We're looking forward to reading your applications!

What prod team roles are we looking for?
• Technical Director
• Lighting Designer
• Costume Designer
• Makeup Artist
• Set Designer
• Choreographer
• Assistant Producer
• Publicity Officer
• Poster Designer
• German Language Coach
• Surtitle Translator
• Welfare Officer

You’re welcome to apply for multiple roles. Many of these roles can be combined. If you would like to get involved in the production in any capacity, even if what you have in mind doesn’t fit into any of these roles, please get in touch.

Calling all altos, tenors and basses to apply for the fantastic opportunity to be a member of the chorus in the CUOS Mainshow this term: Merry Wives of Windsor by Otto Nicollai.
Please get in touch with Anna if you're interested by emailing [email protected]

We're very excited to announce that applications for the prod team for the Mainshow: Merry Wives of Windsor are now open!
Please have a look at our Prod Pack for more information. Link in bio!
We're looking forward to reading your applications!

What prod team roles are we looking for?
Technical Director
Lighting Designer
Costume Designer
Makeup Artist
Set Designer
Choreographer
Assistant Producer
Publicity Officer
Poster Designer
German Language Coach
Surtitle Translator
Welfare Officer

You’re welcome to apply for multiple roles. Many of these roles can be combined. If you would like to get involved in the production in any capacity, even if what you have in mind doesn’t fit into any of these roles, please get in touch.

CUOS is now looking for an EXECUTIVE PRODUCER for Shorts 2026, as well as DIRECTORS for each individual short opera!

CUOS Shorts is a festival of new operas written and staged entirely by current Cambridge students, with performances in Trinity College Chapel in March 2026 (dates TBC). This is a unique opportunity to help bring world premieres to life, work with talented student musicians and composers, and flesh out that all-important CV! This year, the following operas will be premiered:

‘The Second Death’ – Zane Soonawalla
‘Train Talk’ – George Akka
‘Bastien und Bastienne’ – Oscar Beed
How Much Land Does a Man Need?’ – Eoin Jenkins

Why get involved?
• Gain hands-on experience producing or directing brand new operas
• Shape the artistic and logistical vision of a long-standing festival
• Take part in Cambridge’s thriving contemporary music scene

No prior experience in opera is required: just enthusiasm!

To apply, please email Livia at [email protected], detailing why you'd like to produce/direct for Shorts 2026, and any relevant experience you might have. Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the 6th January 2026. Equally, feel free to get in contact with any questions, or for more information about any of the operas we'll be premiering.

We look forward to hearing from you! 🎭