From 31 July - 17 August 2008, at the Riverside Studios, London the Tête à Tête company catapults opera from the nineteenth century to the twenty-second. According to Bill Bankes-Jones, Artistic Director of the festival: "A fresh new throng of artists, ranging from Scottish Opera to a raft of brand new companies invite audiences to join together in a celebration of bold experiment, exploring the edges and tickling the boundaries of the most sensual of art-forms. This is a festival where risk is encouraged and bold experiments are congratulated."

Over 30 world premières and new works-in-progress will break down barriers and gnaw at the edges of the future of this art form showing that it is not only still alive and well but also growing.

The festival will undertake nearly three weeks of energy, imagination and innovation. It brings a whole new generation of audiences to a programme of entirely new works and works-in-progress, all interspersed with delicious food and balmy summer evenings on the Riverside Terrace. We urge you to join the party!

Bill Bankes-Jones, adds:

Alongside some of the youngest new talent in the business, such as undergraduate composer Laura Bowler, and last year's work-in-progress hit Johnny's Midnight Goggles - now a fully-fledged show –Scottish Opera will be on their first visit to London for almost 20 years, with Five:15: Operas Made in Scotland. This is the first step of Scottish Opera in their visionary new programme exploring the possibilities of new opera.

With tickets to sample three shows a night priced at just £12.50, Tête à Tête urges everyone to take a chance, dip their toe and have a lick of more than just one Cornetto.

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