Talent development
We’re passionate about supporting the next generation of singers instrumentalists and composers.
The list of alumni from our chorus is long and distinguished, including Dame Janet Baker, Gerald Finley and Sarah Connolly. Our Tour serves as a springboard for emerging artists to launch their careers, and many singers also gain valuable experience as cover artists in both the Festival and the Tour.
Glyndebourne has always commissioned new work, including from Jonathan Dove, Julian Philips, David Bruce and in recent years from young composers Luke Styles and Lewis Murphy.
Explore several of our initiatives to support young singers and musicians, below…
The Glyndebourne Opera Cup
A celebrated international competition for opera singers, The Glyndebourne Opera Cup is designed to discover and spotlight the best young singers from around the world. It offers a top prize of £15,000 and a platform for launching an international opera career.
Chorus auditions
The Glyndebourne Chorus has nurtured the careers of countless singers, many of whom have gone on to international acclaim and stardom. Each autumn, auditions are held for the following year’s chorus.
Pit Perfect
Through Pit Perfect, Glyndebourne’s development scheme for young professional instrumentalists, we offer opportunities for paid engagement with the Glyndebourne Tour Orchestra for a fixed period of time.
Balancing the Score
Supporting female composers
Balancing the Score helps to address the under-representation of female composers in classical music. Through the scheme, the composers spend two years immersed in life at Glyndebourne, where they will be introduced to commissioning opportunities, attend rehearsals and meet professional opera makers and performers.
Jerwood Young Artists
Thanks to the generous support from Jerwood Arts, Glyndebourne provides a programme of exceptional coaching and performance opportunities for young singers in the Glyndebourne Chorus.
With thanks to our supporters through our New Generation Programme – helping us invest in emerging artists and future audiences