ABOUT
John Wilkie, a Scottish director of opera and theatre, has worked internationally, with his productions being performed in the UK, Europe, and New Zealand.
He is a member of the artistic team at New Zealand Festival Opera and National Youth Opera Aotearoa, a stagecraft tutor at The Aotearoa New Zealand Opera Studio, and is a founding member of Opera Bohemia in his homeland of Scotland.
His work is informed by a background of training in both music and acting. John is dedicated to crafting focused, authentic storytelling intertwined with musical language, seeking to create a nurturing, compassionate rehearsal process that emphasises collaboration and evolution.
Nominated in the ‘Best Production’ category at the 2021 International Opera Awards, John’s production of Il segreto di Susanna at Opera Holland Park was described in The Spectator as being, ”So perfect, so spirted, so loving… it’s probably never had a production so affectionate than John Wilkie’s new staging.” The Stage and The Times also named it as one of the ‘Top Five Productions’ of 2019, and it was named so again when it was revived in 2024.
Selected notable projects include work for various opera companies and organisations such as The Royal Opera House, New Zealand National Opera, Garsington Opera, New Zealand Festival Opera, Opéra National du Rhin, Opera Holland Park, Scottish Opera, New York City Opera, Danish National Opera, Opera North, Opéra de Lille, The Mozartists, , Den Fysnke Opera, Waterperry Opera Festival, and Wilson’s Music Hall.
At the beginning of his journey, John was an ‘Alvarez Emerging Artist’ director at Garsington Opera, and ‘Christine Collins Young Artist’ director at Opera Holland Park.
He is a member of the artistic team at New Zealand Festival Opera and National Youth Opera Aotearoa, a stagecraft tutor at The Aotearoa New Zealand Opera Studio, and is a founding member of Opera Bohemia in his homeland of Scotland.
His work is informed by a background of training in both music and acting. John is dedicated to crafting focused, authentic storytelling intertwined with musical language, seeking to create a nurturing, compassionate rehearsal process that emphasises collaboration and evolution.
Nominated in the ‘Best Production’ category at the 2021 International Opera Awards, John’s production of Il segreto di Susanna at Opera Holland Park was described in The Spectator as being, ”So perfect, so spirted, so loving… it’s probably never had a production so affectionate than John Wilkie’s new staging.” The Stage and The Times also named it as one of the ‘Top Five Productions’ of 2019, and it was named so again when it was revived in 2024.
Selected notable projects include work for various opera companies and organisations such as The Royal Opera House, New Zealand National Opera, Garsington Opera, New Zealand Festival Opera, Opéra National du Rhin, Opera Holland Park, Scottish Opera, New York City Opera, Danish National Opera, Opera North, Opéra de Lille, The Mozartists, , Den Fysnke Opera, Waterperry Opera Festival, and Wilson’s Music Hall.
At the beginning of his journey, John was an ‘Alvarez Emerging Artist’ director at Garsington Opera, and ‘Christine Collins Young Artist’ director at Opera Holland Park.
NEW ZEALAND
“Wilkie has a refined understanding of the pace, timing and quality of opera…
the interplay between his craft and what’s happening in the orchestra pit is stunning.”
the interplay between his craft and what’s happening in the orchestra pit is stunning.”
- THE NEW ZEALAND HOOK
John is a member of the New Zealand Festival Opera artistic team. After directing their production of La traviata in 2019, he became Principal Stage Director. Since then, he has directed celebrated productions of Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci, The Cunning Little Vixen, Die Zauberflöte, Gianni Schicchi, and Dido & Aeneas. In October 2026, John will direct a new production of L’Orfeo at the the Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival.
Festival Opera connects with Project Prima Volta, a music program for local teenagers that promotes social inclusion through music and performance. Each year, the Prima Volta students, alongside adults from the local community, participate in the chorus for the Festival Opera's mainstage productions, alongside international professional artists. They also engage in their own opera performances and concerts. The program empowers young people in the area to discover their unique potential through sung performance, fostering confidence, trust, and skills in a supportive and enjoyable musical environment.
In 2022, John was invited to curate and present Dame Malvina Major’s 50th anniversary gala event in New Zealand, celebrating her life on and off stage, and in 2024 international soprano, Madeleine Pierard, invited him to join The Aotearoa New Zealand Opera Studio as a stagecraft tutor.
Earlier this year, John helped launch National Youth Opera Aotearoa, a new training programme for experienced young singers, and will direct their inaugural production of Le nozze did Figaro in September 2026.
Festival Opera connects with Project Prima Volta, a music program for local teenagers that promotes social inclusion through music and performance. Each year, the Prima Volta students, alongside adults from the local community, participate in the chorus for the Festival Opera's mainstage productions, alongside international professional artists. They also engage in their own opera performances and concerts. The program empowers young people in the area to discover their unique potential through sung performance, fostering confidence, trust, and skills in a supportive and enjoyable musical environment.
In 2022, John was invited to curate and present Dame Malvina Major’s 50th anniversary gala event in New Zealand, celebrating her life on and off stage, and in 2024 international soprano, Madeleine Pierard, invited him to join The Aotearoa New Zealand Opera Studio as a stagecraft tutor.
Earlier this year, John helped launch National Youth Opera Aotearoa, a new training programme for experienced young singers, and will direct their inaugural production of Le nozze did Figaro in September 2026.
OPERA BOHEMIA
“John Wilkie’s production may be nearly a decade old, but the clarity of the storytelling, recognising the prescience of the work’s political message, is unimprovable. Punches well above its weight.”
- EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL MAGAZINE
In his homeland of Scotland, John is a founding member and associate director of the acclaimed opera company, Opera Bohemia. Their mission is centred on creating increased opportunities for young professional artists across all aspects of opera. They are committed to producing high-quality operatic works that tour extensively, reaching both remote areas and larger cities throughout the country, ensuring that the magic of opera can be experienced by diverse communities, enriching the cultural landscape.
Since the company’s formation in 2010, John has directed productions of La bohème, Lucia di Lammermoor, Madama Butterfly, Eugene Onegin, The Merry Widow, and Die Fledermaus for the company, all of which have premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe before touring nationally.
Since the company’s formation in 2010, John has directed productions of La bohème, Lucia di Lammermoor, Madama Butterfly, Eugene Onegin, The Merry Widow, and Die Fledermaus for the company, all of which have premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe before touring nationally.
SUPPORTIVE ROLES
John enjoys his role as a dramatic coach, having directed productions and facilitated stagecraft workshops for various programs, including the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme at The Royal Opera House, Scottish Opera Young Artists, Garsington Opera's Alvarez Young Artist Programme, New Zealand Opera Young Artists, The Aotearoa National Opera Studio, Opera North Youth Chorus, the Southrepps Music Festival, London Goldsmiths University, and New Zealand’s esteemed Project Prima Volta program.
In addition to his coaching, John serves as an associate, revival, and assistant director, collaborating with notable creatives such as David McVicar, Bruno Ravella, Tim Albery, Robin Norton-Hale, Alessandro Talevi, Marie Lambert, Aylin Bozok, Vincent van den Elshout, William Tuckett, Oliver Platt, and Jay Schieb.
In addition to his coaching, John serves as an associate, revival, and assistant director, collaborating with notable creatives such as David McVicar, Bruno Ravella, Tim Albery, Robin Norton-Hale, Alessandro Talevi, Marie Lambert, Aylin Bozok, Vincent van den Elshout, William Tuckett, Oliver Platt, and Jay Schieb.