No longer booking
  • Venue London Coliseum, London
  • Performance dates Booking to 6 December 2025
  • Running time 3 hours 30 minutes (including 1 interval)
  • Age guidelines 15+

Partenope at ENO – Love, Disguise and 1920s Glamour in Handel’s Operatic Rom-Com

Love triangles have nothing on this. Partenope, Handel’s dazzling blend of romance, wit and identity twists returns to the English National Opera in Christopher Alden’s Olivier Award-winning production. First staged in 2008 and acclaimed around the globe, this stylishly surreal take on Handel’s first comic opera lands once again at the London Coliseum for its much-anticipated revival.

With flapper-era flair, sharp humour and one of Handel’s most irresistibly elegant scores, Partenope is the ultimate operatic love tangle – where not everything (or everyone) is what they seem.

What Is Partenope About?

In a Parisian art salon of the 1920s, socialite and queen bee Partenope finds herself at the centre of a most complicated romantic web. Three suitors compete for her affection: the dashing Arsace, the poetic Armindo, and the enigmatic Emilio.

But amid the flirtation and fun, Eurimene – a fourth admirer – turns out to be Rosmira in disguise, out for revenge on her ex-lover Arsace. The result? Gender-bending deceptions, comedic confusion, and a heart-warming (and hilarious) quest to discover who truly belongs with whom.

Why Book Partenope Tickets at ENO?

  • Olivier Award-winning production by Christopher Alden
  • Handel’s first comic opera, bursting with humour and heart
  • Set in a dazzling 1920s Paris, inspired by surrealist artists
  • A playful, accessible opera – perfect for newcomers
  • Star soprano Nardus Williams leads a cast of rising talents
  • Sung in English with surtitles – no prior opera experience needed

Book Partenope Tickets Now

Love gets a makeover in ENO’s glamorous revival of Partenope. With its blend of comedy, intrigue and Handel’s glorious music, this production is the perfect blend of fun and finesse. With only a limited run from 20 November to 6 December 2025, don’t miss your chance to see this modern classic on the London stage.

Book your Partenope tickets today for a night of romance, revenge and operatic brilliance at the London Coliseum.

Finding The One isn’t easy. Especially when you’re tangled up in a tricky love quadrangle.

Join our social butterfly Partenope and her three potential suitors – Arsace, Armindo and Eurimene – in this timeless tale where boys meet girl, girl falls for boy, and another ‘boy’ is really a girl looking for revenge on a boy… keeping up?

Find out if love is on the cards and if honesty wins, in this complex game of romance, where not everything (or everyone) is as it seems.

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Performance Information

Check booking calendar for full details

Stars and Creatives

Who is in the cast of Partenope?

The 2025 Partenope cast features Nardus Williams as Partenope, Hugh Cutting as Arsace, Ru Charlesworth as Emilio, Jake Ingbar as Armindo, Katie Bray as Rosmira, William Thomas as Ormonte.

Who are the creative team of Partenope?

  • Christian Curnyn – Conductor
  • Christopher Alden – Director
  • Andrew Lieberman – Set Designer
  • Jon Morrell – Costume Designer
  • Adam Silverman – Lighting Designer
  • Claire Glaskin – Movement Director
  • Elaine Brown – Revival Movement and Intimacy Director
  • Amanda Holden – Translator

Venue Information

London Coliseum , St. Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4ES

Nearest Tube or Train: Leicester Square (Northern line, Piccadilly line), Charing Cross (Northern line, Bakerloo line), Embankment (Northern line, Bakerloo line, District line, Circle line)

Nearest Buses: 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 23, 24, 29, 53, 77a, 88, 91, 139, 159, 176

Directions

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Critics' reviews of Partenope

★★★★★ "Best of all possible casts fill every moment of Christopher Alden’s Handel cornucopia" - The Arts Desk (2025)

★★★★ "Wonderful fun" - The Telegraph (2025)

★★★★ "Christopher Alden’s 1920s-style staging of Handel’s comedy is as entertaining as ever" - The Times (2025)

★★★★ "Edgy and erotic Handel update" - The Guardian (2025)

★★★★ "Superb singing at the London Coliseum shows how glorious the music truly is" - Express (2025)

★★★★ "Visually compelling" - Broadway World (2025)

★★★★ "Joyfully barking-mad" - Theatre cat (2025)

Frequently Asked Questions

Partenope is playing at the London Coliseum in London
The running time of Partenope is 3 hours 30 minutes (including 1 interval)
The age recommendations for Partenope are: 15+
Yes, Partenope has matinee performances on the following days:
No, sorry, Partenope has now completed its run and is no longer on sale.

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