For this summer’s Culture Bites, I want to highlight different cultural events, both past and present. Though the blog obviously skews towards historical events, there are many different cultural events happening right now to enjoy. I think that aside from Broadway and productions with famous names, the performing arts are considered passé. However, there are some incredible artists performing right now that should not be missed. This summer, I plan to watch at least two operas a week. I’ve always enjoyed what I’ve seen but I’ve not seen a lot of it. And if you are talking about summer opera, you must mention the Glyndebourne Festival Opera.
Glyndebourne Estate
Glyndebourne is an estate in East Sussex that dates back to the fifteenth century. There is not a specific date on when it was built, though. (There is pre-Elizabethan panelling and timber-framing that can roughly date it.) The Christie family inherited it in the nineteenth century, and they still hold it today. 
Wolfiewolf, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The History of Glyndebourne Festival Opera
John Christie and Audrey Mildmay put on the first Glyndebourne festival in 1934. While it originally focused on Mozart’s operatic works, it now features many different composers’ works. The Christie family has staged the festival every year, excepting 1941 to 1945 (for the Second World War) and in 1993 (when the new theatre was built).
The original theatre held 300 patrons, and was continuously enlarged over the years- by 1977, the theatre could hold 850 people. However, the festival’s popularity proved this still was not enough. In 1993, a new theatre was built to hold 1,200 patrons.
The festival is now considered a part of the “Summer season”. Performances typically run from May to August, and as it is close to London, people will often go for the day.
Watching Glyndebourne
I’m sure your next question is: how do I watch a Glyndebourne performance? Well, the first obvious answer is to go to the festival if you live in the surrounding area. If you are like me and don’t, you will need to get creative.
Glyndebourne has brilliantly put three different operas up to stream for free (and a documentary) throughout Summer 2021. Visit their site here for the productions and dates available! (When they are available, they are on Youtube- easy and accessible!) Unfortunately as of July 2022, there are no full productions online but their YouTube does feature several different clips and pieces. While it is not the full opera, it is still
Of course, what would an opera post be without Marquee TV? (Seriously, I cannot stress how much I love it- an arts streaming service??) As of July 2022, there are 17 different Glyndebourne productions available on Marquee TV if you want to watch them there (as well as a documentary). I know that there will several of you shouting at your screen “IT’S NOT THE SAME AS LIVE”, but I will always argue that a recorded performance is better than no performance at all.
Have you heard of the Glyndebourne Festival Opera?
Cheers,
The Historian
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