Glyndebourne at the Odeon

In autumn 2007 Glyndebourne made the bold move to the big screen. Three of the most critically acclaimed Festival productions of recent years, Così fan tutte, Tristan und Isolde and Giulio Cesare were screened in ODEON cinemas nationwide. Glyndebourne's foray into the hitherto unknown world of the cinema multiplex paid off, with extra screenings arranged to cope with the demand at several venues as well as an specially arranged screening of Tristan und Isolde in Barcelona.

'The experience was simply fantastic... I soon forgot that I was listening to a recorded orchestra and singers, and seeing the big screen and the wonderful production and filming was as great an experience as in Glyndebourne itself.' 
Stephen Smith, audience member Tristan und Isolde

'Filmed with six cameras on to high-definition video, Glyndebourne’s penetrating summer production of Wagner’s epic of pain and ecstasy drew opera habitués eager to sample for £7.50 something that could otherwise have cost an arm and a leg.'
Geoff Brown, The Times

'It’s an extraordinary experience. Shown in high definition (HD), the visuals are pin-sharp and vibrant.'
Emma Pomfret, The Times

At Glyndebourne's local screening in Brighton of Giulio Cesare the cold evening couldn't deter a packed audience who were transfixed from the moment Sarah Connoly's Cesare swaggered onscreen. The succession of exquisite arias and dance set pieces held the audience in rapt attention and provoked spontaneous applause on a number of occasions. 

With every expression magnified in high definition the humour and subtleties of David McVicars' direction were impossible to miss. The palpable sense of occasion was evident when a few audience members completed the effect with a picnic in the interval! Others made the most of the novelty of munching on popcorn whilst enjoying top-class opera. One audience member at Brighton was overheard to say 'it's not inferior, just different'.

If you enjoyed the screenings or want to know what you missed you can purchase your own copy of the DVD of Giulio Cesare and Così fan tutte from the Glyndebourne shop. The DVD of Tristan und Isolde is now available for a special price of £30 until March 31st 2008. Order your copy now.