In conversation

Oliver Mears

The Royal Opera’s director of opera talks about his job and his career to date.

In a wide-ranging conversation, Oliver talks about how he became a director and artistic director working in opera – not something he originally expected he'd end up doing. He also discusses some of the day-to-day responsibilities and challenges of his job, from programming to emails and meetings.

Who's in this video?

Anna Patalong

Anna is the chief executive of British Youth Opera. She took part in BYO multiple times as a young singer between 2007 and 2010 before going on to a successful career as an international soprano. She has previously described her experiences as a participant with BYO as being like ‘an apprenticeship to the opera world’.

Oliver Mears

Oliver is the director of opera at The Royal Opera. He began his career assisting playwright Howard Barker and in 2004 he co-founded opera company Second Movement, directing many of their productions. Before joining The Royal Opera in 2017 he was artistic director of Northern Ireland Opera.

Beginning a professional singing career

An opera career

Being an opera director

How to direct singers