Opera Holland Park 2015: Backpackers and opera singers can make ideal bedfellows

Anyone who has had the pleasure of attending OHP will know it is peacocks rather than backpackers that make the loudest noise during the arias says Nick Goodway
Culture push: the park’s hostel will promote performances to its guests this summer
Nick Goodway14 April 2015

This year’s Opera Holland Park opens in just 49 days. A few weeks later, Safestay will reopen the doors of the neighbouring hostel it has taken over from the YHA and refurbished at a cost of more than £2 million.

Safestay chairman and serial property entrepreneur Larry Lipman jokes: “We’ve said we will ask our guests to keep the noise down while they sing so long as they keep the noise down while our guests are asleep.”

Anyone who has had the pleasure of attending OHP will know it is peacocks rather than backpackers that make the loudest noise during the arias. But I have high hopes that, as OHP frees itself from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and relies even more on the beneficence of sponsors like Investec Wealth, Safestay and the singers can become firm friends.

Hostels are a growing segment of the travel market and Lipman’s aim to make Safestay into one of the more upmarket chains with fine buildings in great locations looks more than interesting.

If, as he says, his hostel will promote the opera to its guests that is to everyone’s benefit. Anything that brings younger audiences into opera at more affordable prices is good.

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