Retrospect Opera
Analysis
Retrospect Opera is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Cheshire. It was registered in October 2015, 11 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). It says it sponsors or undertakes research and other charitable activities.
In the financial year ending October 2025, Retrospect Opera reported income of £39k and spending of £17k, leaving 57% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from October 2021 to October 2025, income grew from £12k to £39k (+238%), an average of +36% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to October 2023, when income rose by 182%. Over the whole period it spent 89% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Retrospect Opera sits at the 65th percentile: it is larger than about 64% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 57th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Box Foundation (£39k), Institute of Islamic Banking and Insurance (£39k) and The British Art Medal Trust (£39k).
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
To advance the art of opera for the public benefit by researching British opera of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries and making recordings publicly available.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Box Foundation | Plymouth | £39k |
| Institute of Islamic Banking and Insurance | Middlesex | £39k |
| The British Art Medal Trust | London | £39k |
| Birchmeadow Centre Management Committee | Broseley | £39k |