Glyndebourne Festival Opera 2023
New productions of Handel, Mozart and Poulenc, plus revivals of Donizetti, Stravinsky and Britten in a star-studded summer season
Glyndebourne Festival Opera is loved for its music – and its gardens. Photo: James Bellorini
After two limited years, the appetite for opera is insatiable: Glyndebourne Festival Opera is about to open but already diaries are open for 2023 – and with good reason.
Three exciting new productions dominate a season that is punctuated too with revivals of three outstanding classic productions.
The season opens with Mozart's Don Giovanni in a new production by Mariame Clement. A woman director is sure to bring new insights into the rise and fall of an inveterate womaniser. The cast includes Moldovan baritone Andrey Zhilikhovsky as Don Giovanni, Russian soprano Venera Gimadieva as Donna Anna and Armenian soprano Ruzan Mantashyan as Donna Elvira, Evan Rogister conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (17 performances, 19 May-15 July 2023).
Also new is Poulenc's moving opera Dialogues des Carmelites. Directed by Barrie Kosky, whose most recent production of Handel's Saul scooped awards and accolades. The cast includes soprano Danielle de Niese as the opera’s heroine Blanche de la Force, with Swedish mezzo-soprano Katarina Dalayman and Scottish mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill (10 performances, 10 June-29 July 2023).
Benjamin Britten's silvery A Midsummer Night's Dream returns to Glyndebourne
The third new production is directed by Adele Thomas, who made such an impression at the Royal Opera House with Handel's Berenice and Vivaldi'sBajazet. She returns to Handel and his Semele, based on Greek myth, with American soprano Joélle Harvey in the title role, plus British mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnston as Juno and British tenor Stuart Jackson as Jupiter. Václav Luks conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (14 performances between 23 July-26 Aug 2023).
Returning to the season are three stalwarts: Peter Hall's 1981 silvery production of Benjamin Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream, a magical evening based on Shakespeare's comedy. Dalia Stasevska conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the case includes British countertenor Tim Mead as Oberon and American bass baritone Brandon Cedel as Bottom (12 performances, 1 July-22 Aug 2023).
With its designs by David Hockney and the angular music of Igor Stravinsky, The Rake's Progress is another Glyndebourne evergreen It returns with New Zealand tenor Thomas Atkins as Tom Rakewell, British soprano Louise Alder as Ann Trulove and British bass-baritone Sam Carl as Nick Shadow. Robin Ticciati conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (10 performances, 4-27 August 2023).
A delightful cast makes the return of Gaetano Donizetti's comedy L’elisir d’Amore a very welcome prospect. Ben Gernon conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra, chorus and soloists who include British soprano Nardus Williams as Adina and Armenian tenor Liparit Avetisyan as Nermorino (15 performances, 20 May-12 July 2023).
Productions are sung in the original language, with English surtitles. Public booking opens in March 2023
Three exciting new productions dominate a season that is punctuated too with revivals of three outstanding classic productions.
The season opens with Mozart's Don Giovanni in a new production by Mariame Clement. A woman director is sure to bring new insights into the rise and fall of an inveterate womaniser. The cast includes Moldovan baritone Andrey Zhilikhovsky as Don Giovanni, Russian soprano Venera Gimadieva as Donna Anna and Armenian soprano Ruzan Mantashyan as Donna Elvira, Evan Rogister conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (17 performances, 19 May-15 July 2023).
Also new is Poulenc's moving opera Dialogues des Carmelites. Directed by Barrie Kosky, whose most recent production of Handel's Saul scooped awards and accolades. The cast includes soprano Danielle de Niese as the opera’s heroine Blanche de la Force, with Swedish mezzo-soprano Katarina Dalayman and Scottish mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill (10 performances, 10 June-29 July 2023).
Benjamin Britten's silvery A Midsummer Night's Dream returns to Glyndebourne
The third new production is directed by Adele Thomas, who made such an impression at the Royal Opera House with Handel's Berenice and Vivaldi'sBajazet. She returns to Handel and his Semele, based on Greek myth, with American soprano Joélle Harvey in the title role, plus British mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnston as Juno and British tenor Stuart Jackson as Jupiter. Václav Luks conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (14 performances between 23 July-26 Aug 2023).
Returning to the season are three stalwarts: Peter Hall's 1981 silvery production of Benjamin Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream, a magical evening based on Shakespeare's comedy. Dalia Stasevska conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the case includes British countertenor Tim Mead as Oberon and American bass baritone Brandon Cedel as Bottom (12 performances, 1 July-22 Aug 2023).
With its designs by David Hockney and the angular music of Igor Stravinsky, The Rake's Progress is another Glyndebourne evergreen It returns with New Zealand tenor Thomas Atkins as Tom Rakewell, British soprano Louise Alder as Ann Trulove and British bass-baritone Sam Carl as Nick Shadow. Robin Ticciati conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (10 performances, 4-27 August 2023).
A delightful cast makes the return of Gaetano Donizetti's comedy L’elisir d’Amore a very welcome prospect. Ben Gernon conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra, chorus and soloists who include British soprano Nardus Williams as Adina and Armenian tenor Liparit Avetisyan as Nermorino (15 performances, 20 May-12 July 2023).
Productions are sung in the original language, with English surtitles. Public booking opens in March 2023
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| What | Glyndebourne Festival Opera 2023 |
| Where | Glyndebourne, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 5UU | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Victoria (underground) |
| When |
19 May 23 – 27 Aug 23, Six productions with long dinner interval. Start times and running times vary |
| Price | £TBC |
| Website | Click here for more information and booking |