Join Opera Prelude for Storace and Soane: Icons and Influencers at the Turn of the 19th Century, a narrated opera performance in the intimate Georgian Eating Room inside Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery.
This unique evening tells the remarkable story of architect Sir John Soane and soprano Nancy Storace (1765–1817), one of the most celebrated singers of her age. Storace was the original Susanna in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, a role created for her in 1786 that remains one of opera’s most beloved characters. Her talent and charisma made her a star across Europe, admired by composers including Mozart, Haydn, Salieri and Paisiello.
Through music and narration, the performance explores how Storace’s chance meeting with Soane developed into a lifelong family friendship, offering fresh insight into the cultural networks that shaped Georgian London.
Conductor Lewis Gaston leads Opera Prelude’s rising artists, with arias and ensembles performed to piano accompaniment by Thomas Ang. The programme features music by composers Storace knew and worked with, including Paisiello, Salieri, Sarti and Mozart.
Thursday 6 November 2025
6.15–8.15pm
Doors open at 5.45pm
There is a pay bar for refreshments
Georgian Eating Room
Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery
Ealing Green, London W5 5EQ
£20
Ticket also grants you access to Pitzhanger Manor, all exhibitions, and free Thursday Lates activities on the night.
If you wish to view the house and gallery before the talk, this ticket grants you entry from 5pm onwards.
Lewis Gaston is a British conductor specialising in opera, with a repertoire of more than 50 operas including La Traviata, Aida, Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci. He has conducted across the UK and internationally with ensembles such as the Brașov Philharmonic, Toscana Classica Orchestra, Berlin Sinfonietta, Camerata di Fiorentina and State Opera Rousse. As a lecturer and conductor with Opera Prelude, he has led performances and talks on composers from Verdi to Bizet, and created lecture-performances exploring soprano Nancy Storace and architect Sir John Soane.
Shafali Jalota (Soprano) — British-American soprano Shafali Jalota has been praised for her “stunning vocal technique and poised stage presence” (Opera Today). A 2023/24 Young Artist at the National Opera Studio and Britten Pears Young Artist, she has performed internationally with companies including the Royal Ballet & Opera, Glyndebourne, English Touring Opera, Longborough Opera, Opera Neo and Chautauqua Opera. Recent highlights include Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Berta (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Argene (L’Olimpiade), and Romilda (Serse). She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Maryland Opera Studio.
Brenton Spiteri (Tenor) — Australian-Maltese tenor Brenton Spiteri is based in London and in demand across opera and concert stages. A graduate of the University of Melbourne and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, he has sung leading roles including Tom Rakewell (The Rake’s Progress), Edmondo (Manon Lescaut), Almaviva (The Barber of Seville), Ferrando (Così fan tutte), and Tamino (The Magic Flute). He has performed with English Touring Opera, Waterperry Opera, Victorian Opera, and Opéra de Lyon, and is a recipient of the Marten Bequest Travelling Scholarship and the Herald Sun Aria prize.
Thomas Ang (Piano) — Praised for his “thoughtful programming and excellent technique,” pianist Thomas Ang is recognised as a specialist in the music of Kapustin and Medtner, and is recording the complete piano works of Medtner to critical acclaim. He has a strong affinity for contemporary and experimental music, regularly performing premieres worldwide, and is dedicated to championing overlooked and minority composers. Thomas also works as a répétiteur for the Royal Ballet and is active as a coach, accompanist, and arranger.
Opera Prelude is a UK charity dedicated to supporting emerging opera singers at the start of their careers. For almost 15 years, it has provided young artists with performance opportunities, career guidance and mentoring, while also offering audiences unique insights into the world of opera. Through lecture-performances, recitals and talks, Opera Prelude brings artists and audiences closer together, nurturing both new talent and new appreciation for the art form.
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Celebrate the season with a magical evening of music and cheer as Lumarie and Luke Matthews return to Pitzhanger. Enjoy soul-stirring live performances and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine in one of Ealing’s most beautiful historic settings – a perfect festive night out.
More info
Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery
Ealing Green, London W5 5EQ
Ticketing, Opening Hours and Tour Enquiries: foh@pitzhanger.org.uk
Retail Enquires: retail@pitzhanger.org.uk
Reception: 020 3985 8888
Venue Hire: 020 3994 0966
Office: 020 3994 0967
Wednesday - Sunday: 10:00 - 17:00
First Thursday of the month: 10:00 - 20:00
Monday - Tuesday: Closed
Bank Holidays: 10:00 - 17:00
Last admissions one hour before closing
Partial Closure: 6 November, all day
Please note that the Eating Room in Pitzhanger Manor will be closed all day on Thursday 6 November for a private event. Artworks in the affected space will be temporarily off view, but General Admission continues as usual. All other rooms will be open as usual during our regular opening hours.
Questions? Email us at foh@pitzhanger.org.uk.
Wedding Open Day reminder: Noon - 4pm
Please note that although our Manor House remains open as normal, we are hosting our Wedding Open Day across the Manor space on 25th October 2025. Artworks in the Manor will be available as normal.
Questions? Email us at foh@pitzhanger.org.uk.
Partial Closure: 26–28 September
From Friday 26 to Sunday 28 September, only Pitzhanger Manor will be open while Pitzhanger Gallery remain closed for exhibition changeover.
General Admission will be reduced to £8 during this time. The Bella Pūlia Café and the Pitzhanger Shop will also be open.
Our new exhibition Howard Hodgkin: In a Public Garden opens on Wednesday 1 October.
Questions? Email us at foh@pitzhanger.org.uk.
Partial Closure: 18 October, 11.30am–5pm
Please note that the Upper Drawing Room in Pitzhanger Manor will be closed at 11.30am–5pm on Saturday 18 October for a private event. Artworks in the affected space will be temporarily off view, but General Admission continues as usual. All rooms will be open before and after this time during our regular opening hours.
Questions? Email us at foh@pitzhanger.org.uk.
Partial Closure: 31 October, 1–3.30pm
Please note that the Eating Room in Pitzhanger Manor will be closed at 1–3.30pm on Friday 31 October for a private event. Artworks in the affected space will be temporarily off view, but General Admission continues as usual. All rooms will be open before and after this time during our regular opening hours.
Questions? Email us at foh@pitzhanger.org.uk.
Gallery Access on Curator’s Talk Evening
Please note that 13 November, the Gallery will close at 6pm for the Curator’s Talk with Richard Calvocoressi and Nicholas Serota. From 5pm, there may be some set-up activity in the space, though it will remain open and accessible for ticket holders.
If you do not have a ticket for the talk, we recommend planning your visit a little earlier in the day to enjoy the full exhibition.
Questions? Email us at foh@pitzhanger.org.uk.
Partial Closure: 6 November, 10am–5pm
Please note that the Eating Room in Pitzhanger Manor will be closed at 10am–5pm on Thursday 6 November for a private event. Artworks in the affected space will be temporarily off view, but General Admission continues as usual. All rooms will be open before and after this time during our regular opening hours.
Questions? Email us at foh@pitzhanger.org.uk.
Partial Closure: 9 November, 10am–3pm
Please note that the Eating Room in Pitzhanger Manor will be closed at 10am–3pm on Sunday 9 November for a private event. Artworks in the affected space will be temporarily off view, but General Admission continues as usual. All rooms will be open before and after this time during our regular opening hours.
Questions? Email us at foh@pitzhanger.org.uk.
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