Garsington Opera could not exist without the generous support of its members and friends, through good times and bad.
We suggest a non-obligatory donation of £70 with each ticket which supports these essential projects.

Garsington Opera's Young Artists receive an unparalleled level of experience and support through the season and beyond. 

  • A role in the Garsington Opera Chorus, and many have at least one understudy or small role - a chance to rehearse and prepare as a soloist alongside world-class conductors, directors, designers and principal artists.
  • One-to-one vocal coaching with Head of Music, Jonathon Swinard
  • Masterclasses with leading singers
  • Career development sessions with leading lights in the industry
  • Performance opportunities in the Green Theatre Recitals, understudy showcase performance in London and a full run of each opera for the Garsington Opera Artistic Team
  • Four awards are presented each year to outstanding young artists on the programme

 

Receiving the Helen Clarke Award is a great honour which provides me with timely practical support for which I am deeply grateful. An undeniable love of opera, support of young talent and an infectious community spirit make Garsington a truly unique experience.
Seán Boylan, title role cover Don Giovanni (including one performance) and chorus Don Giovanni, Helen Clarke Award 2019 winner

 

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Every opera is put together by a huge team of creative and technical artists at the top of their professions.

The director's and designer's vision is realised by an immense amount of detailed work and collaboration.



   

   

   

   

 

Garsington Opera delivers a dynamic, year-round Learning & Participation programme, providing creative workshops to all ages, using music and performance as tools for personal, social and emotional development.

Garsington Opera continues to introduce a new generation to opera through education and outreach and exploring digital innovations that will enable the Festival's productions to be experienced by a new and wider audience. The programme aims specifically to engage those who face significant barriers to engagement with the arts, both locally and nationally. Specially commissioned Community Operas are regularly presented, involving hundreds of local people in music, design and drama as well as opening up the Opera Pavillion to members of the community. 

In the current climate, where we cannot be physically present with our clients, we are linking up with people digitally live every Monday morning at 10am through YouTube and Facebook. #MondayMotivation is a fun workshop for all ages, led by Karen Gillingham, Creative Director of Learning &  Participation. Every week features a special guest artist, a physical warm up from a choreographer and a musical improvisation session. We have already reached people from around the world as well as connecting with local schools and the community. 



   

   

   

   

"I've never seen a better Figaro...Everyone seems perfectly cast and you'd be happy to encounter all of them in any opera house in the world."

The Arts Desk

Garsington Opera gives performances of great artistic quality in a setting of extraordinary natural beauty. Performances take place in the spectacular Opera Pavilion, which sits within the rolling landscape of the Chiltern Hills.

The festival presents a programme of four operas each year during a seven-week summer period, often including a Mozart opera, and often champions less-known works which have included a number of notable British premieres: Haydn's Orlando Paladino, Vivaldi's L'Olimpiade and Rossini's Armida. Productions have also been taken to a number of European festivals and the Metropolitan Opera, New York. 

Garsington Opera is committed to promoting excellence and engaging the very best performers from around the world, as well as championing talent from within the UK - both household names and some who are just beginning to make their names on the worldwide opera stage. The singers work with award-winning directors and conductors of international reputation and great acclaim. In 2017 the festival launched a partnership with the world-renowned Philharmonia Orchestra who play for two or three productions each season. Early specialist orchestra The English Concert will also begin a residency, playing for one or two operas each year.