Carmen Taster Day

Would your child love to dive into one of opera’s most thrill-packed masterpieces? Bizet’s Carmen is returning to Glyndebourne for Festival 2027, a revival of the acclaimed contemporary staging by Tony Award-winning director Diane Paulus, with Ben Glassberg conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

We are offering children aged 9-13 an exclusive opportunity to attend our Carmen Taster Days in November 2026, in preparation for the Children’s Chorus auditions in January 2027. Those who successfully audition in January will appear in Carmen during our flagship summer Festival. 

These taster day workshops are designed for everyone to enjoy, whether as preparation for the upcoming auditions, or simply to discover the magic of this iconic opera. There is no expectation that your child has to audition in January if they just wish to take part in these November workshops.

Applications are open

Applications will close at 9am on Monday 9 November

We are running workshops on two different dates. You can sign up for a morning or afternoon workshop session on either day:

• Venue: East Sussex College Performing Arts Centre, Mountfield Rd, Lewes BN7 2XH
• Sessions: Morning Workshop 10.30am – 1.30pm OR Afternoon Workshop 2.30pm – 5.30pm

• Venue: Glyndebourne Opera House, New Rd, Lewes BN8 5UU
• Sessions: Morning Workshop 10.30am – 1.30pm OR Afternoon Workshop 2.30pm – 5.30pm

• Age group: Open to all children aged 9 to 13, living within a 25-mile radius of Glyndebourne.
• Experience required: No previous experience with Glyndebourne Youth Opera (GYO) is required to participate in these workshops. However, attending a taster session is compulsory for newcomers to GYO who wish to audition in January. The sessions are open to both current GYO members and children who are entirely new to the GYO.
• Important note for male voices: To fit the character parts and vocal ranges required for the children’s chorus in the Bizet score, male voices must be unchanged (treble).

• Audition prep: Get an early look at the music, characters, and try out some acting and movement before the January 2027 auditions.
• Expert coaching: Work with a professional conductor, director and vocal coaches to build your confidence and performance skills.
• Fun and inspiration: Learn what it takes to join the Glyndebourne Children’s Chorus, or just enjoy a fun experience learning about Carmen!

Children are invited to participate in one session. Please indicate your child’s availability for each workshop slot from the options below, and their session allocation will be based on this. Priority will be given to children who have not taken part in GYO activity before. 

Applications close at 9am on Monday 9 November. You will receive confirmation if your child has been allocated a place by Friday 13 November and asked to confirm your child’s attendance by Wednesday 18 November.

Important Dates for your 2027 diary: Participation in a Glyndebourne Festival production requires substantial commitment. If your child successfully auditions for the Children’s Chorus for Carmen, they will need to be available during the entirety of the rehearsal and performance period. Key days are:

• Auditions: 23 or 24 January 2027; callbacks on 30 January 2027
• Intensive rehearsal week: Tuesday 30 March – Saturday 3 April 2027
• Rehearsals & performances period: Monday 5 April 2027 to Sunday 29 August 2027

Glyndebourne’s Learning & Engagement programme is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

Main image: Sarah Hickson