Pegasus Opera has at its core our belief that opera is for everyone, no matter their background. Particularly important to our mission is the promotion of classical artists, composers and creatives of BIPOC heritage. The Arts Council of England acknowledges our leadership role within the sector, creating best practice in promoting classical artists of color, and making opera accessible to wider audiences. Artistic Director and acclaimed soprano, Alison Buchanan is the only Black, female Artistic Director of an opera company in the UK and Europe. She leads a skilled team, supported by an experienced, diverse Board.
From our base in Brixton, South London, we produce innovative, inclusive and excellent contemporary opera and concerts for diverse audiences (across April 2024-March 2025, reaching circa 7,800 people). Our programme comprises an accessible range of works, touring to a variety of London and UK venues aiming to reach underserved communities.
“An audience as comfortably diverse as many a UK city street…Pegasus’s double bill, given three performances, may look like a small event. On the contrary, it is a catalyst for change.” Fiona Maddox, The Guardian on Pegasus’ Roman Fever/The Human Voice opera double bill, April 2024.
Pegasus Opera Company mission states:
The advancement of the arts, education and community development, for the public benefit by
(a) the promotion of multicultural opera and musical drama;
(b) the provision of performance opportunities to artists of diverse backgrounds;
(c) the promotion of artists of BIPOC heritage in the UK to opera and musical drama producers;
(d) the promotion of opera and music to young people in underserved communities; and
(e) the promotion of opera and musical education to members of culturally diverse communities of all ages.
In the last year, Pegasus Opera Company has worked with almost 13,000 children, young people, adults and elders accessing our programmes as either audience members for our artistic programme or participants in our learning and talent programmes. We delivered 309 events across the year and 57% of our audiences were new to Pegasus Opera Company. Across our artistic, talent development, and learning and participation programmes, we have delivered inspiring performances, supported emerging artists, and engaged communities of all ages. From staging powerful operas and mentoring rising stars, to nurturing choirs and schools across the UK, Pegasus has continued to champion excellence, representation, and inclusivity in opera.
Artistic Excellence
2025 saw Pegasus stage two major productions and a return to national touring. We staged an ambitious Double Bill at the Susie Sainsbury Theatre, pairing Poulenc’s La Voix Humaine (The Human Voice) with Philip Hagemann’s Roman Fever. Led by a female creative team of African and Caribbean heritage, directed by Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE, seasoned Director and Principal at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and conducted by Rebecca Tong, resident conductor of the Jakarta Sinfonia Orchestra. The production showcased the talent of award-winning soprano Nadine Benjamin.
Press Coverage
“A riveting performance by Nadine Benjamin in Poulenc’s The Human Voice … Benjamin, as
the slowly unravelling Elle … holds nothing back expressively … we feel every curve of Elle’s
rollercoaster ride of emotions.” The Stage
“an audience as comfortably diverse as many a UK city street.” The Guardian
“Pegasus’s double bill, given three performances, may look like a small event. On the contrary,
it is a catalyst for change.” The Guardian
“A stylish double bill of modern and contemporary opera.” — Everything Theatre
We collaboratively devise and deliver community programmes for all ages and abilities, reaching 3000 school children annually with hubs in Lambeth, Croydon and Bedford, and UK-wide alongside our tours. Further community initiatives include Intergenerational Community Choirs in Brixton and Croydon, meeting weekly to encourage health, wellbeing and community cohesion. From our latest participant survey: 77% of children/ young people we engage are of African, Caribbean and/or Asian heritage, as are 87% of adults/ elders.
We took our work nationwide, touring extracts of our new opera commission, Windrush; The Opera alongside an intergenerational participation programme with community elders and schoolchildren.
Recent award nominations:
‘The Stage Community Project of the Year 2024’ for Windrush Travelling Songbook
‘Sky Arts Award for Artistic Programming 2024’.
‘International Opera Awards 2025 Finalist - Equal Opportunities & Impact Award
Nurturing Talent
Pegasus Talent has gone from strength to strength, securing performance opportunities for artists of color across major opera houses and festivals. Our artists performed with English National Opera, Glyndebourne, Garsington, Scottish Opera, Opera North, and at international venues including the Venice Biennale. Notable achievements included: Company debuts for Pegasus artists at Glyndebourne and Opera North. International engagements, including touring productions with English Touring Opera and roles at the Waterperry Festival. High-profile performances at venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and the Bristol Beacon.
Our Opera Mentorship Programme continued to thrive, The 2024/25 cohort benefited from individual sessions, workshops with renowned artists such as Elaine Mitchener MBE (Vocalist and Composer) and Roderick Williams (Singer and Composer with masterclasses with award winning soprano, Danielle de Niese.
The programme will continue into 2026 with twelve mentees joining us. The programme will include bursaries for training and longer term support. Pegasus is proud to be building a sustainable pipeline of diverse opera talent.
Learning & Participation
In 2025, our Learning and Participation programme has reached over 4000 children and adults, embedding opera at the heart of local cultural life.
The Pegasus Community Choir flourished with regular rehearsals and performances at major concerts, including our Christmas event. Make Them Hear You in Bedford expanded its co-created curriculum
championing diverse classical composers with schools, giving primary pupils meaningful exposure to music-making. The Music Mentoring programme in Croydon for disadvantaged young people aims to build confidence and creativity through weekly sessions. Collaborations with Lambeth Music Service culminated in a Primary Singing Day at the Royal Festival Hall, where over 1,400 children performed, alongside Pegasus’ Lift Up Lambeth Voices ensemble. A major milestone was the launch of the Windrush Travelling Songbook microsite, showcasing intergenerational stories and new compositions
from young people across the UK. Pegasus continues to connect heritage, education, and opera in powerful ways.
Supporting Pegasus Opera Company as an American Friend
Pegasus Opera Company is a nationally significant cultural organisation redefining opera for the 21st century. Rooted in artistic excellence and driven by social impact, Pegasus continues to deliver ambitious productions and transformative programmes across the UK while building an international profile and outlook.
In recent years, Pegasus has made strategic investments to ensure long-term sustainability and growth. We have expanded our staff to include a full-time Talent Director and a dedicated Development team focused on trusts and foundations, major donors, and individual philanthropy. This investment enables us to strengthen and scale our work across our three core pillars nationwide.
Artistic Programme – producing bold, high-quality opera that tells new stories and reaches new audiences
Talent Development – identifying, nurturing, and championing exceptional artists from BIPOC heritage
Learning and Participation – removing barriers to access and inspiring the next generation through education and community engagement
As part of our forward-looking strategy, Pegasus is actively diversifying its income streams and forging international and cross-sector partnerships. A major upcoming ambition is the national and international touring of Windrush Opera in 2028, a landmark work that speaks powerfully to shared histories of migration, identity, and belonging, issues that resonate deeply with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.
Pegasus Opera Company continues to expand its education and outreach programmes well beyond London. This year alone, we are delivering impactful work in Bedford, Liverpool, Bristol, and Birmingham, embedding opera in schools, libraries, museums, and community spaces, and reaching individuals who may never otherwise encounter the art form.
Strong governance underpins all our work. Pegasus has recently welcomed four new Board members with expertise in business development, strategy, law, and HR. Over seventy percent of our Board members are from BIPOC heritage, ensuring that leadership reflects the communities and artists we serve.
We welcome your generous support as an American Friend of Pegasus Opera Company.
At the heart of Pegasus Opera Company is our credo: “Harmony in Diversity.” We exist to challenge outdated perceptions of opera, amplify underrepresented voices, and demonstrate that opera can and must reflect the multicultural society in which we live. We believe that everyone, regardless of background, should have the opportunity to experience and perform opera at the highest level.
Support from American Friends of Pegasus Opera Company will enable us to expand our artistic production, talent development, and learning and participation work across the nation and worldwide. With your partnership, we can inspire new audiences, empower extraordinary artists, and contribute to a more inclusive, vibrant global opera landscape—creating lasting cultural impact for generations to come.
