Love & Liberty:
America’s Musical Journey.
Cameratina returns to Opera in Oborne to explore the rich repertoire of North America.
14th and 15th February 2026
The 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence falls in 2026 and this allows Cameratina to take as our theme the unique and extensive contribution that American and American-based composers and librettists are currently making to opera.
As well as the many contemporary political and cultural topics that these writers are highlighting, the unique impact of other musical genres, notably jazz and blues, is changing what is expected of opera.
Cameratina’s weekends are designed to provide wonderful, out of the ordinary music. The small scale allows the audience to enjoy performances that bring an intimacy and immediacy not possible in larger venues.
Equally as important, the weekend allows six emerging stars of the UK opera scene the chance to polish their skills before a group of positive and enthusiastic supporters. In this case, there is also the advantage for them of working directly with two of the country’s most respected mentors, Susanna Stranders and Gweneth Ann Rand.
An Evening of Three Short Operas beginning with Kurt Weill’s Seven Deadly Sins, followed by Samuel Barber’s A Hand of Bridge, and Jake Heggie’s At the Statue of Venus. To round off the evening we will include some of Aaron Copland’s Old American Songs. The full programme will be performed by the six young singers.
Saturday 14th February, 5pm
St Cuthbert's Church, Oborne
A note from Susanna Stranders
In September 2001—just one day before the 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers—I arrived in Cincinnati, Ohio. Despite that harrowing beginning, my three years in the United States became some of the most formative of my career. I was fortunate to work with outstanding coaches, conductors, and singers, but some of my most lasting inspiration came from discovering, hearing, and performing works by American composers.
In Houston, I was privileged to meet and collaborate with Jake Heggie on the world premiere of his opera The End of the Affair, based on the novel by Graham Greene. Jake has remained a close friend ever since. I was delighted to join him for the UK premiere of Dead Man Walking at the Barbican in 2018, a new production of which has achieved great critical success at ENO. I am especially excited to present one of his works, the monodrama At the Statue of Venus, as part of our upcoming weekend together. Surely a work about a woman on a blind date is fitting for St Valentine’s Day?!
Alongside the Heggie, highlights will also include Kurt Weill’s The Seven Deadly Sins (in English), Samuel Barber’s A Hand of Bridge, and Aaron Copland’s Old American Songs, along with many other treasures from across the Atlantic.
Joining me at Oborne will be our next cohort of brilliant young stars (and stripes!), selected from auditions in November, and my dear friend, the celebrated soprano Gweneth Ann Rand—an artist with deep experience in American repertoire and a gifted mentor for emerging singers. I’m thrilled that Cameratina will bring us together once again—and I very much hope you will join us too.
Susanna Stranders, October 2025
Artisitc Director, Cameratina
Imogen Holst
Our performers
Gweneth Ann Rand
Renowned for the emotional depth and vocal brilliance of her performances, Gwen has appeared with major companies around the world. Her wide-ranging repertoire embraces both the European canon and American opera. Most recently she has been seen in the ENO’s critically acclaimed production of Dead Man Walking.
As an Associate Artist at the Wigmore, she is known for her recital programming and storytelling She is especially celebrated for her interpretations of Messiaen's Harawi and his soprano repertoire, which showcase her artistry at its most expressive and profound.
Gweneth Ann Rand
Photograph Christa Holka
Next generation stars
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