Meet the collective.

Liberata Collective is co-directed by Olivia Doutney and Susanna MacRae, who produce and lead the company’s unique collective staging process.

Their debut production of Handel’s Orlando premiered at Buxton International Festival and Lichfield Festival in July 2023 to sold-out audiences and critical acclaim. Music Director Adrian Butterfield led from the violin, directing Ensemble Hesperi in a specially commissioned chamber arrangement by Peter Jones. The production was praised for its imaginative direction, vibrant performances, and commitment to historically informed staging.

Following this success, Orlando was revived in 2024 for further performances at Beaumaris Festival and Stour Early Music Festival, once again playing to packed houses and earning a standing ovation. For the revival, Liberata Collective welcomed harpsichordist Petra Hajduchova as Music Director, leading the company’s own ensemble of exceptional players.

In May 2025, Liberata Collective launched a brand-new production of Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito at Beaumaris Festival. This intimate reimagining of Mozart’s final opera seria marks the beginning of their next touring project.

Read more about the cast and creatives involved in our past and current productions below!

  • Olivia Doutney

    ARTISTIC DIRECTOR | SOPRANO
    ANGELICA 2023/24 | VITELLIA 2025

    Olivia is a Swiss/British soprano.

    Roles at Luzerner Theatre & Grand Théâtre de Genève

    Mimi in La Bohème at the National Theatre of Zrenjanin, Serbia

    Soloist at the Berlin Philharmonic, Cologne Philharmonic, St John’s Smith Square

    Soloist with Geneva Chamber Orchestra & Sinfonieorchester Biel-Solothurn

    Debuted the role of Turandot in 2023 with La Fabrique Opéra Grenoble in France

  • Susanna MacRae

    MANAGING DIRECTOR | SOPRANO
    DORINDA 2023/24 | SERVILIA 2025

    Susanna is a coloratura soprano specialising in baroque opera and new music.

    Last season covered Damigella 1 in Caccini’s La Liberazione di Ruggiero with Longborough Festival Opera

    Created the role of German Child in Noah Max’s A Child in Striped Pyjamas to critical acclaim

    Toured Galatea (Acis & Galatea) and Venus (Venus & Adonis) in 40+ performances in Spanish and Italian opera houses, and in the UK

    Soloist at The Utrecht Early Music Festival & Bath Festival

  • Christian Joel

    TENOR/COUNTER-TENOR
    ORLANDO 2023/24 | TITO 2025

    Christian is a high tenor originally hailing from Trinidad & Tobago.

    Singing Chief Pee-Ay-Sis in the new opera Migrations with Welsh National Opera this season

    Artist of the Lyon Opera Studio 2019-2020

    Upcoming semifinalist in Voice of Black Opera 2022

    Prince Paul in Offenbach’s La Grande Duchesse de Gérolstein at Luzerner Theater

  • Joanna Harries

    MEZZO-SOPRANO
    MEDORO 2023/24 | SESTO 2025

    Joanna is a rising star on the British opera scene.

    National Opera Studio 2021/22 Young Artist

    Upcoming debuts with Opera Rara and London Symphony Orchestra

    Former Britten Pears Young Artist and Handel House Talent artist

    Has performed with Welsh National Opera, Scottish Opera, Grange Park Opera and Longborough Festival Opera

  • Jolyon Loy

    BARITONE | ZOROASTRO 2023/24

    Jolyon is a British Baritone and Glyndebourne Associate Artist at National Opera Studio.

  • Petra Hajduchova

    MUSICAL DIRECTOR | 2024/25

    An experienced harpsichordist and Professor of Harpsichord at Canterbury University,

    Regularly features with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, London Mozart Players & English Chamber Orchestra

    Has played on the soundtracks of several programmes for BBC, ITV and Netflix

    Studied at Trinity Laban as a TCM Scholarship recipient and winner of the Raymond Russel Prize