Annual fund 2025
Read about the moments in 2025 that were made possible thanks to donations to our Annual Fund.
Glyndebourne’s Annual Fund enables our artistic ambitions to be realised on stage, and supports our mission to enrich the lives of as many people as possible through opera.
Thanks to the generous donations to the 2025 Annual Fund, we were able to undertake essential work across the whole organisation, from upgrading the stage floor to planting new trees in our grounds with the cast of Uprising.
The stage floor upgrade was brought about by a need to provide a modular floor in order to aid future projects by having lifts that can be positioned in any area on stage. We now have 2 scissor lifts that can move people and scenery, as well as 2 personnel lifts that can deliver a performer up onto stage during performances.
Other changes that were made within the auditorium include a replacement of the conductor monitor system and upgrades to our video projectors and media servers.
A semi-permanent scenic staging cover was built to provide overflow space for scenery during the busiest parts of the Festival. This helps us to create the space we need to manoeuvre scenery around during tight changeovers of productions.
Backstage during Festival 2025. Photo: Graham Carlow.
Tree planting in the Uprising Grove, February 2025. Photo: Pablo Strong.
The 2025 Annual Fund also enabled us to deepen our connection with the environment by improving nature and biodiversity within our grounds, and increase the sustainability of our operations.
In February, 60 trees were planted in the Uprising Grove as a long-lasting legacy to the community opera Uprising.
Solar panels were installed on the Production Hub roof at the beginning of the year, with the energy generated by the panels primarily being used for lighting and cooling on-site.
Full installation of double glazing was completed on all levels of the opera house, improving heat retention and cooling efficiency. Basement corridor lighting is now 75% converted to sensors, eliminating energy waste in empty spaces. New air handling units were also installed, which run at lower, energy-efficient speeds while maintaining air quality.
Danny Harratt, Glyndebourne’s Head of Facilities, on the roof of the Production Hub reviewing the newly-installed solar panels, January 2025. Photo: Vicky Skeet.
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who donated to the 2025 Annual Fund. Your support made all this important work possible.
Donate to the Annual Fund
This support is felt in every corner of Glyndebourne – from head gardener Kevin’s potting shed, to your seat in the auditorium.
