Opera: Passion, Power and Politics

The V&A’s inaugural exhibition in the new Sainsbury Gallery, Opera: Passion, Power & Politics offered a fully immersive journey through 400 years of operatic history. Created in collaboration with the Royal Opera House, the exhibition gave visitors the sense of stepping backstage — blending costume, light, sound and scenography into a dramatic narrative experience.

Through state-of-the-art audio technology and precisely choreographed sound triggers, the exhibition recreated the atmosphere of live performance. Visitors experienced specially commissioned opera recordings and commentary via infrared-activated headsets, culminating in World Passion, a 360-degree projection space featuring contemporary opera and behind-the-scenes footage.

Design highlights included a freestanding recreation of an 18th-century mechanised theatre, complete with moving scenic elements, and scenographic treatments inspired by backstage markings, sketchbooks and functional stagecraft. The team also collaborated with artists, wigmakers and specialist prop sources to deliver an experience as visually ambitious as it was technically demanding.

Fraser Randall was appointed at RIBA Stage 1 to provide full Project and Cost Management, supporting the delivery of this multi-sensory, multidisciplinary exhibition on time and under budget.

Our Role
• Led Project and Cost Management from concept through to installation, coordinating a large and varied creative team.
• Oversaw complex AV, sound and lighting integration using programmable triggers and wearable tech.
• Supported bespoke setwork, graphics, prop sourcing and artist collaborations.
• Planned for future touring logistics from the outset, including transport, egress, and build constraints.
• Delivered the exhibition to programme and budget within a newly developed gallery environment.

Completed in September 2017