Learning & Engagement

Starting out in opera

Many hundreds of people are involved in bringing an opera to the stage – it’s not just the performers you see in front of you on stage when you come to see the show. Learn how the various jobs backstage help to bring the opera to life.

Think opera is just about singing? Beyond the stage, there are many other ways to start a career in opera. From prop-makers to chefs, there’s a whole world of jobs behind the music which contribute to your overall experience at Glyndebourne. 

Delve into the various departments at Glyndebourne and explore how these behind-the-scenes makers use their skills and imagination to create ‘no ordinary opera’.

Meet the Makers

Learn about the various offstage roles that help to bring Glyndebourne’s operas to life by watching our ‘Meet the Makers’ films. Hear how these experts in their craft came to be doing the work they do.

Although opera is at the heart of what we do, if you visit Glyndebourne you will notice other art forms, including: sculptures in the garden, restaurants on site, costumers on stage and beautiful artwork around the building. In these films, the creators discuss their routes into their chosen professions and give advice to those wishing to pursue a similar career. Hear from cutter/tailor Jay Francois-Campbell about all the various types of tailors you can be, chef Jeff Galvin of the Galvin Brothers about the hospitality industry, listen to sculptor Halima Cassell talk about the importance of playing to your strengths, and watch artist Tom Hammick discuss the importance of perseverance on the road to achieving your goals.

Cutter/Tailor – Jay Francois-Campbell
CHEF – JEFF GALVIN (THE GALVIN BROTHERS)
sculptor – halima cassell
artist – tom hammick

Open Doors

Open Doors is a project run by the East Sussex Careers Hub enabling school pupils across East Sussex to visit workplaces and hear from employers about the range of jobs on offer and the career paths into them. Glyndebourne are pleased to announce that in 2023, we will be offering schools the chance to learn about careers at Glyndebourne in partnership with Open Doors.

Learning & Engagement

Glyndebourne’s Learning & Engagement (L&E) department works with young people who are interested in pursuing the arts and learning more about opera. The projects range from Glyndebourne Youth Opera workshops, university partnerships and Glyndebourne Academy, with many other opportunities throughout the year. 

Although much of the L&E activity focuses on singing, we strive to offer other creative opportunities, including language coaching, stagecraft workshops, and movement workshops, all facilitated by experts in their field.

To find out more about the work of the Learning & Engagement department and to discover how to get involved, click here.

Vacancies

To see all the job vacancies currently available at Glyndebourne, visit our website here.

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