The Garsington Opera festival is in the throes of rehearsals as their third season approaches, taking place in June and July on the spectacular Wormsley Estate in the Chiltern Hills in Buckinghamshire, and featuring the UK premiere of Rossini’s tragic drama Maometto secondo, Mozart’s masterpiece, Die Entführung aus dem Serail and Humperdinck’s magical Hänsel und Gretel. Proving their productions to be world-class, they were Festival Opera award finalists at this year’s international Opera Awards, up against prestigious overseas venues including the historic Salzburg Festival.
Just one hour by car from central London, the exclusive black tie opera event will run from 7 June – 20 July. Guests are encouraged to make an experience of it, either by bringing picnics to enjoy on the lawns before the performance, or relishing in a sumptuous three course dinner (£55) during the extended interval of 85 minutes, catered for by Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts and held in the restaurant marquee located opposite the historic cricket ground and in full view of the glorious English landscape.
The distinguished Garsington Opera Orchestra will be joined by the Garsington Opera Chorus who welcome both original members of the team and several newcomers, all determined to establish Garsington as a key highlight in the music calendar. This year the festival will include a show screen relay of Hänsel und Gretel to the beach in Skegness and culminate in Garsington’s first large scale community opera, Road Rage, which will see over 180 people on stage ranging from young school children to senior citizens drawn from the local community. The company also continues to promote new talent in the form of principle singers, some making their UK debut, who have the opportunity of working alongside more established artists in the unique environment of the award-winning Japanese-inspired Opera Pavilion with its natural light and outstanding acoustics.
Tickets start from £95; for further information and booking please telephone 01865 361636 or visit the website.
