Glyndebourne is extending its summer season of outdoor events, with an additional two weeks of open-air concerts and Open Gardens between 29 August and 13 September, the Sussex-based opera company has announced.

Along with opera houses and events across the country, Glyndebourne was forced to cancel its 2020 festival and close its doors following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, as lockdown restrictions started to be eased in July, the company announced a mini-festival of outdoor performances.

This reduced season has been extended, with the addition of more concerts by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (OAE), a recital performance by Glyndebourne’s Jerwood Young Artists and further Open Gardens days.

Stephen Langridge, Glyndebourne’s artistic director, commented: “Glyndebourne’s mini-festival of open-air events is our positive response to the restrictions on how we can work in the time of Covid-19: an attempt to find a responsible, appropriately distanced, fun and, above all, safe way of performing to a live audience.

“We’ve been thrilled by how successful it’s been and are delighted to be able to extend the season and give more people the chance to experience live music together, in an inspiring environment, which is what Glyndebourne is all about.”

The Jerwood Young Artists programme supports exceptionally talented young singers from the Glyndebourne Chorus. The outdoor concert will mark 10 years of the programme, bringing together four singers who have been supported through the programme in recent years: soprano Madison Nonoa-Horsefield, mezzo-soprano Emma Kerr and tenors John Findon and Frederick Jones.

They will perform a selection of operatic classics, accompanied by pianist Matthew Fletcher, with performances at 2pm on 29 and 30 August. Tickets cost £50.

The OAE will give six performances of a programme of music by Mozart, Beethoven and Jonathan Dove, conducted by Glyndebourne Chorus Director Aidan Oliver. The shows will again take place at 2pm, on 6, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 September. Tickets are also £50.

Additionally, Open Gardens, allowing visitors access to Glyndebourne House’s extensive grounds, has also been extended into September, taking place on 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th and 8th. Tickets cost £10.

Managing Director Sarah Hopwood added: “While outdoor performances are not a substitute for getting theatres open again, the events that we have presented this summer have been a source of joy and hope at a very challenging time for the theatre industry. We’re delighted to be adding extra performances to the season and would like to once again thank our members, donors, staff and the general public for their unwavering support.”

Audiences for all live performances are capped at 250 people and designated seating areas will be prepared for every household. Audiences will be seated in household groups with social-distancing measures carefully observed at all times. In the event of bad weather, performances will be cancelled and tickets refunded.

See Glyndebourne’s website for further details and to book tickets.

 

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Glyndebourne’s mini-festival of outdoor events has been extended into September.