About the work
"Tales of Love and Loss" is a triple bill of chamber operas presented by the Royal Opera House, London, shown from 1 to 9 May 2026 at the Linbury Theatre and sung by the Jette Parker Artists, the house's young-artist ensemble. It was directed by Talia Stern (her Royal Opera debut) and conducted by Peggy Wu. The evening brings together three short operas by three women composers – Elizabeth Maconchy, Charlotte Bray and Elena Langer – offering a rare chance to experience the work of three women in a single production. The pieces all turn on relationships under pressure.
Plot
Elizabeth Maconchy's "The Departure" (1961) concerns lost love: Julia and her husband Mark prepare for a funeral at whose heart lies a devastating revelation. Charlotte Bray's "Making Arrangements" (2012) tells of a relationship fracturing through infidelity and inattention. Elena Langer's "Four Sisters" – here a world premiere of the chamber version – is a comedy: the sisters, daughters of a deceased Manhattan business tycoon, dream of spending his fortune, but their plans prove premature. The evening thus spans grief and betrayal through to sharp social satire.
Cultural significance
Programming three operas by women composers is a deliberate statement: Elizabeth Maconchy (1907–1994) is among the most important British composers of the twentieth century, while Charlotte Bray and Elena Langer rank among prominent contemporary voices. The evening gives the young singers of the Jette Parker programme demanding roles while bringing rarely performed repertoire to light. Critics praised the canny dramaturgy and the range from tragedy to comedy.