Meet the collective.

Liberata Collective is co-directed by Susanna MacRae and Olivia Doutney who produce and lead the collective staging process. Their debut production of Handel’s Orlando received its premiere at Buxton International Festival and Lichfield Festival in July 2023 in a four show sell-out run. For this project Liberata Collective partnered with leading historical expert Adrian Butterfield who led, from the violin, Ensemble Hesperi in a special chamber arrangement of the score produced by Peter Jones. The production was met with anticipation and excitement, drawing rave reviews from critics for its innovative approach and exceptional performances.

Following the triumph of their inaugural production, Liberata Collective have just staged revivals of Orlando, earning a standing ovation & more sell out shows at Beaumaris Festival and Stour Early Music Festival. For the revival Liberata Collective were thrilled to have the harpsichordist Petra Hajduchova onboard as Musical Director, directing Liberata Collective’s own ensemble of talented players.

Read more about the other cast and creatives involved in our touring production of Orlando 2023/2024 below!

  • Olivia Doutney

    CO-FOUNDER | SOPRANO | ANGELICA 2023/24

    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

    CO-FOUNDER | SOPRANO | DORINDA 2023/24

    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

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

  • Joanna Harries

    MEZZO-SOPRANO | MEDORO 2023/24

    Joanna is a rising star on the British opera scene.

  • Jolyon Loy

    BARITONE | ZOROASTRO 2023/24

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

  • Petra Hajduchova

    MUSICAL DIRECTOR | 2024

    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