Founded in 2022, Wild Arts aims to make music fresh, enjoyable and available to everyone. Based near Colchester, but bringing world-class performers to settings across the UK, they also work with schools and young artists to foster future talent – with their long-term goal to create a truly green opera house and performance space constructed entirely from sustainable materials.

So, what’s on when it comes to the Wild Arts line-up? The Roman River Festival (22-29 Sept) sees a host of musical talent at churches and historic spaces across coastal Essex, including the water tank at the top of Colchester’s iconic water tower, affectionately known as ‘Jumbo’. From piano recitals to rising star violinist Hana Chang performing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No.2, it’s an incredible and eclectic line-up of events not to be missed.

Also to book is their semi-staged Handel’s Messiah. Arranged for a small ensemble, it’s an intimate and uplifting production and an authentic recreation of how the music may have sounded when Handel himself was conducting it. The Layer Marney Tower performance (15 Dec) has already sold out, but there’s still time to grab tickets for Chelmsford Cathedral (2 Dec).

Finally, be sure to calendar Wild Arts’ 2025 line-up. There’s the Opera Evening Tour on from May-Aug; a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin from June-Sept; and The Essex Summer Opera Festival on at Layer Marney Tower (17-21 June). You can even help Wild Arts reach their green opera house dream by supporting them here.