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Why I supported… Die Zauberflöte

The staging and filming of Die Zauberflöte has been generously supported by individual donors, and we asked them to share their inspiration for supporting us.

We are extremely fortunate at Glyndebourne that we are supported by generous individuals, without whom we would not exist.

Glyndebourne Festival receives no public subsidy and ticket sales cover only 65% of our costs.

The staging and filming of Die Zauberflöte has been generously supported by individual donors, and we asked them to share their inspiration for supporting us.

Lindsay and Sarah Tomlinson

Lindsay and Sarah Tomlinson first supported a production in 2011 as Lindsay explains, ‘We live in Sussex and having been taken to Glyndebourne a handful of times we thought we should seek to support it. This year, we are supporting Die Zauberflöte; we are delighted to support the continuation of Glyndebourne’s long Mozart tradition. As ever at Glyndebourne we know that great music will be enhanced by an imaginative and visually stunning production. We can’t wait to see it!’

For the Tomlinsons, their philanthropic interest is backed up by a view that supporting the arts is an important obligation. ‘Glyndebourne is part of our national heritage and we need to make sure it is treasured and passed on to future generations’ he says.

Handel and Yvonne Evans

Handel and Yvonne Evans have supported productions at Glyndebourne for over a decade. Last year, they helped to fund our new Production Hub, and this year they have chosen to support Die Zauberflöte. ‘We are strong supporters of Glyndebourne and usually sponsor an opera to mark a special occasion, a birthday for example,’ explains Handel.

As arts venues vie for philanthropic support, personal connection to the art form is often key, as Handel attests, ‘I trained at the Guildhall School of Music and sang in The Merry Widow with hopes of singing in the Glyndebourne Chorus when severe mastoiditis struck and I lost hearing in one ear. One-eared singers don’t do so well, so I had to choose another path.’

Handel’s love of opera never dwindled and he has supported Glyndebourne ever since. ‘I always wanted to sing at Glyndebourne and so now my wife and I support other young singers to fulfil their ambitions to sing here instead – it’s that simple.’

Filming of Die Zauberflöte supported by Celia Blakey

Celia Blakey comes from a family of patrons to the arts and has been supporting Glyndebourne for over a decade. As a Mozart enthusiast, Celia was delighted to be the sole supporter of capturing Die Zauberflöte on film.

‘It’s been a favourite of mine for many years and I have seen it all over the world’ she says.

This new production by the renowned directing/design duo Barbe & Doucet promises to take a fresh and playful look at the opera’s troublesome gender politics.

You can see Die Zauberflöte in cinemas and online on Sunday 4 August.


Are you interested in supporting a Glyndebourne production?

Supporting one of our productions is one of the most rewarding experiences available to donors. We are currently looking for supporters for Rigoletto (Tour 2019), The Rake’s Progress (Festival 2020) and Dialogues des Carmelites (Festival 2020).

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