About
The Glyndebourne Festival Opera 2027 returns from 20 May to 29 August, bringing five operatic works to the celebrated Sussex countryside. Known for its exceptional productions and distinctive blend of opera, gardens and leisurely summer picnics, Glyndebourne offers an experience that feels as carefully considered outside the auditorium as it is on stage.
"Festival 2027 spans a wide range of operas – peak achievements of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. This year, all three new productions are directed by Festival debutants: South African writer-director Yaël Farber, renowned for her visceral, poetic approach, directs Jenůfa; Max Webster, fresh from a run of West End and Broadway triumphs brings us La Cenerentola; and I direct Idomeneo – an opera I love deeply. To direct it at home, with astounding soloists, alongside our brilliant music director Robin Ticciati, the Glyndebourne Chorus and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, is an opportunity to be savoured."
Stephen Langridge, Artistic Director of Glyndebourne.
New productions
Mozart Idomeneo
Glyndebourne Festival 2027 will open with a new production of Mozart’s Idomeneo, directed by Stephen Langridge and conducted by Robin Ticciati who will lead the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. It is the first time the pair – who hold the roles of Artistic Director and Music Director at Glyndebourne – have collaborated on a main stage Festival production.
Rossini La Cenerentola
Next summer will see the first new staging of La Cenerentola at Glyndebourne in over 20 years. Rossini’s joyful comedy will be directed by Olivier and Tony-nominated theatre director Max Webster, known for his spectacular and theatrical stagings, and working at Glyndebourne for the first time. Enrique Mazzola will be conducting the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
Janáček Jenůfa
The final new production of the season is Janáček’s powerfully devastating drama Jenůfa. Directing what will be only the second production of the opera at Glyndebourne in its history, is the multi-award-winning South African director and writer Yaël Farber, making her opera debut. She will collaborate with Robin Ticciati who conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra and a cast that includes Yaritza Véliz making a major role debut as Jenůfa.
Festival favourites return
Bizet Carmen
Returning for its first revival next summer is Diane Paulus’ thrillingly visceral 2024 production of Bizet’s Carmen, with two performance runs that bookend the season. Starring in the first series of performances, beginning in May, is soprano Danielle de Niese making a UK role debut following her first, acclaimed appearance as Carmen with Opera Australia in 2025. Rihab Chaieb, who starred as Carmen when the production premiered, will be returning to the central role for performances in August. Ben Glassberg will conduct London Philharmonic Orchestra for all performances.
Verdi La Traviata
Completing the season is a revival of Tom Cairns’ stylish and sophisticated production of Verdi’s La traviata which will receive twenty performances featuring two casts. The role of Violetta will be shared by Louise Alder, making a role debut, and Elisa Verzier, who gave an acclaimed performance as Violetta during Glyndebourne’s 2024 Autumn Season. Riccardo Frizza will conduct the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
About the Glyndebourne Festival Opera
The Glyndebourne festival is held annually in England, near the town of Lewis in East Sussex on The Glyndebourne estate. The festival was founded in 1934 by philanthropist and owner of the Estate John Christie, who was a great lover of music. Amateur Opera performances were held in his house. Christie later married singer Audrey Mildmay. They came up with the idea to hold a high-level Opera festival. Thus, on may 28, 1934, the opening of the first festival was held with a production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Opera the Wedding of Figaro with Audrey Mildmay as Susanna. Over time, the Glyndebourne festival has become one of the most important events for music lovers.
In 1968, the festival expanded its program, there was a program of tours. To this day, festival performances can be seen in different parts of England.
If initially, the repertoire of the festival consisted mainly of operas by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, then later the repertoire was expanded. The audience could enjoy operas by Gioachino Rossini, Christoph Willibald Gluck, Gaetano Donizetti, Leos janáček, Richard Strauss, Igor Stravinsky, and others. These works were directed by such famous conductors as Fritz Busch (1934 – 1951), Vittoro GUI (1951 – 1960), John Pritchard (1960 – 1977), Bernard Haitink (1978 – 1988), and others. Such Opera stars as Luciano Pavarotti, Ruggero Raimondi, and others appeared on the stage of the festival.
The hall where the Glyndebourne festival was held was constantly renovated and expanded. If initially, it could accommodate 300 spectators, by 1977 – 850. In addition, a separate rehearsal room was added. However, this expansion did not meet the requirements of the festival, so in 1992 the construction of a new building began.
The new hall was opened on May 28, 1994, and could accommodate 1,200 spectators. The first production on the new stage, 60 years ago, was the Opera "the Wedding of Figaro" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Today, Opera lovers come to the festival every year and note that it retains its own style and unique atmosphere.
