November and December bring several operas by Jonathan Dove to the stage in Germany and the Netherlands. Opening on November 13 in Maastricht, Opera Zuid presents the Dutch premiere of Uprising, the latest community opera by Jonathan Dove and librettist April de Angelis, before touring to Heerlen, Tilburg, and Eindhoven. Only two days later on November 15, In 80 Tagen um die Welt opens at Deutsche Oper Berlin, and finally on December 5, Staatstheater Regensburg presents the world premiere of Jonathan Dove’s and Peter Lund’s family opera Der geheime Garten.
Uprising tells the story of Lola, who is overwhelmed by the loss of the rainforest and therefore refuses to go to school because she can’t understand the need if there is no future. Instead, she strikes and finds herself in a global environmental movement. Meanwhile, Lola’s mother wins a new contract that threatens the local ancient woodland, whose loss may have catastrophic consequences. Focusing on teenage rebellion, family dynamics and the connective power of the internet, Uprising asks questions on issues that should unite us all.
The creative team bringing the production to the Dutch National Opera in Amsterdam in May 2027 includes conductor Manoj Kamps, stage director Davy van Gerven, dramaturges Willem Bruls and Joep Hupperetz, and costume designer Benjamin Aearats.
In Berlin, Deutsche Oper brings the Zurich production of In 80 Tagen um die Welt to the stage. Based on the novel of the same name by Jules Verne, Dove and librettist Peter Lund conjure the world of Phileas Fogg’s adventure to circumvent the globe in 80 days. In this version a boy named Max, who loves to read, finds himself as Passepartout in the middle of Verne’s travel story. Performances are taking place in November, December and then in April next year.
Finally, the year comes to an end with the world premiere of Der geheime Garten (The Secret Garden) at Staatstheater Regensburg, opening on December 5. Based on the cherished children's classic novel by British American author Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849–1924), it tells the story of Mary Lennox who is sent to live with her mysterious uncle at Misselthwaite Manor in Yorkshire after the death of her parents. Mary sets out to unravel the secrets of Misselthwaite and bring the garden back to life. The full list of performances and more production details can be found here.
.jpg)
