Our Man in Havana (opera)

Our Man in Havana is an opera in three acts composed by Malcolm Williamson to a libretto by Sidney Gilliat. It is based on the 1958 novel of the same name by Graham Greene.

The opera premiered at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, on July 2, 1963. The conductor for the premiere was Sir Georg Solti.

The story follows James Wormold, an expatriate vacuum cleaner salesman living in pre-revolutionary Havana, Cuba. He is recruited by the British Secret Service to provide intelligence, and, finding himself strapped for cash, fabricates reports and invents a network of agents. His lies escalate and have unforeseen and deadly consequences as the British government begins to take his fictional reports seriously. The opera is a satirical tragicomedy exploring themes of espionage, bureaucracy, and the absurdity of Cold War paranoia.

Notable arias and scenes include Wormold's initial recruitment scene, his descriptions of the vacuum cleaner parts disguised as a secret weapon, and the escalating chaos as his fabricated network becomes a reality.

The opera has been revived a number of times since its premiere, though it is not part of the standard operatic repertoire. It is noted for its accessible musical style and its sharp, witty libretto. The score incorporates elements of jazz and Latin American music, reflecting the Cuban setting of the story.