What is the Glyndebourne Festival?
The Glyndebourne Festival is a leading opera festival that takes place at Glyndebourne, a country house in the Sussex countryside. Glyndebourne Festival Opera is the name of the opera company which stages the operas. The Festival is famous for its beautiful setting and for the quality of its productions, particularly of operas by Mozart.
What’s the story behind it?
John Christie owned the manor house at Glyndebourne. He used to stage amateur opera productions in the Organ Room and one day his friends suggested that he ask Audrey Mildmay, a professional singer, to take part to add some polish. John and Audrey fell in love and were married in 1931. The couple continued to stage amateur opera productions and John had plans to build a tiny theatre. But Audrey had a better idea: ‘If you're going to spend all that money John,’ she said, ‘for God's sake do the thing properly.’ So the Christies built a 300-seat theatre with a proper orchestra pit and the most modern equipment, and the first Glyndebourne Festival took place in 1934. The first opera was Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) by Mozart, and Audrey sang the part of the heroine, Susanna.
Glyndebourne was beginning to become world famous for its superb performances and productions when war broke out in 1939. Nevertheless, by the time Audrey Mildmay died in 1953 Glyndebourne was one of the most important Arts organisations in Britain.
John Christie died in 1962 and later in the 1960s the range of operas that were staged at Glyndebourne was increased. Many opera singers who later became world famous began their careers there.
The original theatre was loved by Glyndebourne’s visitors but by the early 1990s it was too small and out of date. Glyndebourne had become one of the most famous opera companies in the world and it needed a modern opera house that could fit bigger productions and seat more people. So a new opera house was built and opened in 1994.
What else does Glyndebourne do?
Glyndebourne on Tour takes three productions to theatres all over the country. The productions open at Glyndebourne in October and are then on the road until December. They are important not only because they allow people who can’t get to Glyndebourne to see popular productions at much cheaper prices, but also because the singers are often young artists at the beginnings of their careers, who are looking for their big break.
Apart from the Festival, Glyndebourne runs lots of education projects, which help all sorts of people to discover more about opera and maybe develop an interest in it. Most of Glyndebourne Education’s projects are for young people, but it works with different groups of all ages. Glyndebourne Education also presents many talks and study days, which allow people to find out more about the operas that are being performed at the Festival and on tour. The department even produces its own CDs; each one is an introduction to a different opera, with information and examples of music.
What is Glyndebourne like today?
Today the new theatre sits next to the beautiful Tudor house, surrounded by the famous gardens. The theatre is very light and modern inside, with pale wooden panelling; there are three tiers of seats, each with its own large gallery outside. The atmosphere is very exciting; you feel as if you are in a special place, doing something that you wouldn’t normally do. Even if you often go to the theatre, you probably won’t have been to one in the middle of a beautiful garden.
The gardens are carefully planted with trees and flowers to look their best during the summer, when the Festival takes place. They have smooth lawns, where people have picnics during the interval of the opera, and there is a lovely lake and views across meadows; Glyndebourne is probably the only opera house in the world which has sheep and cows as its neighbours. There is a sunken garden, a rose garden, a terrace and an orchard, and people who regularly come to Glyndebourne often have their favourite nook.
What else will I find at Glyndebourne?
As well as the opera house and gardens, Glyndebourne has restaurants, a large bar and a gift shop. You can still see the impressive Organ Room, where John Christie first staged operas at Glyndebourne, in the main house. There are often displays of paintings and sculptures in the lobbies and vestibules.
What if I need some help when I’m there?
There are always plenty of ushers to help with any queries; they are easily spotted because they wear red ribbons around their necks. If for some reason you can’t find one, there is an information office near the bar and the Box Office staff are always pleased to help.
What should I wear?
During the main Festival people are encouraged to look as smart as they can, with long dresses for the ladies and dinner jackets for the gents. But at other times the atmosphere is less formal; you can wear what you like, although it is always fun to dress to impress ...
How can I prepare for my visit?
For information on Glyndebourne generally, please telephone Glyndebourne Information on 01273 815000 or look at the Information pages of this site.
How can I get to Glyndebourne?
By car: Glyndebourne is 54 miles from London; the best route to take is the M23 to Brighton, then the A27 towards Lewes. Avoid Lewes town centre – take the A26 in the direction of Tunbridge Wells, then turn right onto the B2192. Glyndebourne is signposted to the right just before you enter the village of Ringmer.
By train: the nearest stations are Lewes (4 miles) and Brighton (11 miles). Trains operate out of London Victoria and there are coach connections to and from Glyndebourne. Allowances cannot be made for late trains.
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Travel information, Maps and Plans
In the Auditorium
Glyndebourne Festival 2008