Professor Terence Ryan's Story
Member of the John Christie Society
My first visit was in 1948 to a Beecham Mozart weekend hosted by a school master. I walked from Lewes railway station and met up with a music critic who guided me on the way. I remember especially Clifford Curzon and Mozart’s K 488. The Haffner Symphony also impressed. There was a little competition between Beecham and John Christie when making their closing speeches which I particularly enjoyed.
Lisa Della Casa sang the Countess in my first Figaro in 1951 and I remember her lovely Dove Sono in particular. April Cantelo sang Barbarina shortly after performing in a College production at my College in Oxford so I felt I had some ownership. As a member of the Oxford University Opera Club in 1950 for several years we would compete with different ways of arrival. Myself on a Lambretta. I also enjoyed the early Glyndebourne Festivals in Edinburgh, perhaps most of all the Geraint Evans Falstaff.
The poster for Terence’s first visit to Glyndebourne in 1948
My father was head of the Automobile Association Office in Brighton. He was telephoned concerning a need for help with parking for that first Opera event in 1934 when I was two. He had had experience of bringing in artists and possibly John Christie via the channel boat at Newhaven. Cars were put on the top of the boats and often ended up in the sea when it was rough.
Over the years the main characteristics of Glyndebourne have for me changed little. Dressing up, the fuss about eating well and enjoying wonderful performances has not changed. The biggest change is the marvellous theatre. The old one, approached from the Organ Room, was not so beautiful.
Terence at the opening of the new theatre in 1994
There are so many. In one week in Edinburgh I did hear Sena Jurinac three times in the Prologue to Ariadne. Söderström later reduced me to tears in the same part. The first Rosenkavalier was exceptional.
Being part of supporting the production of Die Meistersinger in 2009 was perhaps my greatest Glyndebourne experience. It was such a great achievement all round.
I love to show Glyndebourne off to family, friends and acquaintances. Opera is my number one hobby and going to Glyndebourne is very special and never less than well sung and produced. Glyndebourne’s maintenance of high standards justifies one’s love of opera in all respects.
I have worked with many medical charities for which legacies have been an enormous influence and help. My legacy to Glyndebourne includes 11 smallish paintings by Louis Turpin a Sussex flower painter once exhibited by Glyndebourne. I organized his first exhibition in Oxford. I am a flower painter myself and just loved his colours. One painting is of Glyndebourne at night. Legacies are an indication of what the donor thinks is most important. Glyndebourne is most important.
Terence Ryan is an Emeritus Fellow of Green Templeton College and Emeritus Professor of Dermatology at the University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes University.
If you would like to find out more about leaving a legacy to Glyndebourne, receive a copy of our legacy brochure or register for a future legacy discovery event please visit glyndebourne.com/legacy
