The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra is led by their Chief Conductor Domingo Hindoyan

International star soprano Sonya Yoncheva sings the title role for the first time and leads a world-class cast

£10 tickets available to first-time opera goers for both performances on 19 & 21 June

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Chief Conductor Domingo Hindoyan bring opera to Liverpool with a large-scale, concert performance of Dvořák’s fairytale opera Rusalka – often compared to The Little Mermaid - at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, (19 & 21 June 2026).

Building on Hindoyan’s leadership and passion for opera, shaped by his international career in the opera house, this performance signals significant investment in opera and local talent from Liverpool Philharmonic - a unique UK music organisation which combines a world class orchestra with an iconic concert hall and award-winning learning programmes. It also marks the first performance of Rusalka in the city of Liverpool’s history. In July 2026, Hindoyan will assume the role of Music Director of LA Opera, alongside his tenure in Liverpool, strengthening transatlantic links between the UK and the United States and supporting the Liverpool Philharmonic’s plans to grow its international profile in alignment with the city of Liverpool’s global brand.

International star soprano Sonya Yoncheva is performing this role for the very first time. She is joined by an internationally distinguished cast including tenor Pavel Černoch as the Prince, bass Jongmin Park as Vodník (the Water Goblin), Liverpool’s own mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnston as Ježibaba (the witch) and soprano Emma Bell as the Foreign Princess. The Wood Sprites are sung by Ella Taylor, Liverpool’s Natasha Agarwal and Lily Mo Browne, with North-West tenor Joshua Ellicott as the Gamekeeper/Hunter and Grace Durham as the Turnspit/Kitchen Boy. As well as singing the role of the witch, local favourite Jennifer Johnston is the Creative Consultant on the project. Jenifer is a longstanding champion for music in Liverpool and a regular guest with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. The production will be enhanced by carefully designed lighting by the in-house production team, to help shape the shifting atmosphere and environment. English surtitles will be provided.

Thanks to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s commitment to accessibility, £10 tickets will be available at both performances for audiences new to opera, so that these special performances can be experienced by both established and first-time attendees.

Liverpool Philharmonic has a longstanding commitment to supporting and providing a platform for local talent. Local and North-West artists are prioritised throughout casting, reinforcing professional pathways from regional training to national and international careers. Debuting during this run is the Liverpool Philharmonic Opera Chorus, bringing together North-West-based professional singers, many of whom already perform with leading UK opera companies. This independent ensemble represents a significant step in making operatic activity possible in the region.

Vanessa Reed, Chief Executive of Royal Liverpool Philharmonic commented, “Anyone who comes to these special performances is in for a real treat. Rusalka is an epic story that many may recognise from the fairytale of The Little Mermaid and for opera fans this is a very rare performance by an outstanding group of singers including Sonya Yoncheva with our Chief Conductor Domingo Hindoyan, who brings his deep understanding and passion for this art-form. At the Liverpool Philharmonic we are always striving to open our doors to new audiences and opera is no exception. We want more people in our city to experience the thrill of hearing a full symphony orchestra with internationally acclaimed singers so we’re offering £10 tickets for first-time opera-goers. We hope to host more events like this in the future. Next year, Opera North's Orpheus - in collaboration with South Asian Arts-uk - comes to our hall and features a union of uniquely talented singers and musicians from both the South Asian and western classical traditions.”

Domingo Hindoyan, Chief Conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra commented, “Opera is a great passion of mine, so it is a real joy to bring Rusalka to Liverpool. I’m very grateful to Jennifer and the team at Liverpool Philharmonic for making projects like this possible. For those coming to opera for the first time, I would say: just let yourself be carried by it. When music, voices and drama come together like this, it creates something deeply immediate and immersive. We have a wonderful cast bringing this story of love, sacrifice and belonging to life. And for me, sharing the stage with my wife Sonya Yoncheva makes it even more special.”

Sonya Yoncheva, commented, “I am so happy to be returning to Liverpool, every time I perform here, I am so moved by the warm welcome given to me and my family. Rusalka is a role I have wanted to sing for a long time. Beneath the famous ‘Song to the Moon’ lies a character of great fragility and longing, and Dvořák’s gorgeous music captures that beautifully. I couldn’t be happier to perform this alongside Domingo in this city which holds such a special place in our hearts.”

Jennifer Johnston commented, We’re very lucky in Liverpool. Not only do we have access to our very own world-class orchestra in one of the most beautiful and acoustically brilliant concert halls in the country, but an organisation which provides such a secure pathway within which talented musicians can develop their skills and experience. As a Liverpool singer, it means a great deal to be part of helping opera grow in the city and increasing awareness for those new to the art form. Working with Liverpool Philharmonic is always a special experience. There’s an incredible energy when you bring together a full orchestra, outstanding singers and an audience that is so open and engaged. It’s exciting to see more opportunities for opera in the city, and to be able to share this music with both long-time opera lovers and people discovering it for the first time.”

Composed in 1900 and premiered in Prague in 1901, Rusalka has become Dvořák’s most celebrated opera and a staple of the international repertoire. It follows the same story as The Little Mermaid – the water nymph (princess in the film) longs to become human after falling in love with a prince. With the help of the witch Ježibaba, she gains human form but loses her voice. When the prince’s love falters, she is left suspended between two worlds in a haunting meditation on love, sacrifice and longing. Inspired by Slavic folklore, it is heard less frequently in the UK than core Italian works, but is widely regarded as one of the great Romantic operas of the late nineteenth century. The score features the beloved aria “Song to the Moon” and some of Dvořák’s most radiant orchestral writing.