Opera Rara

Also known as: Opera Rara Limited

Opera Rara widens the operatic repertoire and develops artistic talent by restoring,recording, performing and promiting rare and forgotten works from the 19th and 20th centuries. We spend our charitable income on the execution of recording projects and on the production of concerts while nurturing the current and next generation of remarkable singers, as we have done since 1970.

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Activities & Mission

Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Region

London

Financial Information

Latest Income

£995,552

Latest Expenditure

£1,163,707

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 105.0%

% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 81% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M (sample: 962). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 89.8%

% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 26% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 11.3%

Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 24% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £806,406

Charitable Activities £172,959

Other Trading £0

Investments £16,187

Other Income £0

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £1,045,005

Raising Funds £118,702

Governance £12,708

Grants to Institutions £0

Other Expenditure £0

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.

Financial Year	Income	Expenditure	Charitable Spending	Net Assets	Reserves	Staff
2025	£995,552	£1,163,707	£1,045,005	£553,488	£500,000	6 / 0
2024	£895,866	£851,621	£777,888	£721,643	£719,073	5 / 0
2023	£710,255	£913,934	£848,530	£677,398	£674,828	4 / 0
2022	£732,034	£546,042	£465,567	£881,077	£875,444	4 / 0
2021	£930,420	£339,177	£270,823	£695,085	£636,731	4 / 0

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about Opera Rara

What does Opera Rara do?

How much income did Opera Rara report in 2025?

Opera Rara reported total income of £996k and reported expenditure of £1.16m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is Opera Rara?

Opera Rara has a program ratio of 105.0%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 81% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M (sample of 962 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was Opera Rara registered as a charity?

Opera Rara was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 5 August 1970 as charity number 261403. It has been registered for 56 years.

Who runs Opera Rara?

Opera Rara is governed by a board of 11 trustees. The chair of trustees is CHARLES ALEXANDER. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does Opera Rara operate?

Opera Rara operates in London, as recorded in its Charity Commission filing.

Is Opera Rara a registered charity?

Yes — Opera Rara is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 261403.