As the autumn season gets under way at the Sussex opera house, we can also look forward to the world’s top singers and instrumentalists back in action from 20 May, with stunning new productions plus revivals of three tried and tested productions.
Verdi’s Luisa Miller tops the bill on the Culture Whisper list of recommendations for Glyndebourne Festival Opera 2021. This stupendous opera, with its thrilling arias and overwhelming choruses, was superbly sung by English National Opera just before lockdown.
The first ever Glyndebourne production is directed by Christof Loy, and with the dynamic Russian soprano Kristina Mkhitaryan in the title role, this Luisa Miller promises to be a musical landmark. American tenor Charles Castronovo and Italian tenor Ivan Magri both make their house debuts, sharing the role of Luisa’s lover Rodolfo.
Also on our checklist, Damiano Michieletto’s new production of Leoš Janáček’s searing opera, Kát’a Kabanová. When Kát’a's dull husband goes away on business, the frustrated young wife embarks on a passionate relationship that is observed by her vile mother-in-law, with terrible consequences. Czech soprano Katerina Knezikova takes the title role, with Nicky Spence as husband Tichon, David Butt Philip as her lover Boris, and Royal Opera house rising star Aigul Akhmetshina as friend Varvara.
The third new production is the first at Glyndebourne for an incredible 50 years of Rossini’s comedy Il Turco in Italia. Mariame Clément directs and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, which plays for all three new productions, is conducted by Italian Giancarlo Andretta, making his house debut.
The LPO returns for one of the three revivals, Nikolaus Lehnhoff’s stirring production of Wagner’s epic love story Tristan and Isolde, first seen in 2003.
Two other revivals feature the scintillating Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. After a cheering, short version in the autumn season, Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte returns in the hotel-based production by Barbe & Doucet, first staged in 2019. This may well follow in the well-worn path of troubled productions that find their feet second time around…
Another Mozart opera completes the line-up for 2021. Nicholas Hytner’s lucid production of Cosi Fan Tutte returns, again with the inestimable OAE, under early music wizard Riccardo Minasi. Something of a fixture at Glyndebourne since its first outing in 2006, the comedy with a sting features four appropriately youthful singers as the pairs of lovers who swop partners.
In the meantime, Glyndebourne’s autumn 2020 season, featuring Offenbach’s In the Market for Love and a shortened Mozart’s Magic Flute opens on Sat 10 Oct: click here for booking. Tickets are still available for most performances. If you are not already a Glyndebourne regular, this is the perfect way to get a taste of this inimitable experience.
Glyndebourne Festival 2021 runs from Thurs 20 May until the end of August. Public booking opens in March, exact date to be announced. Tickets are still available for the autumn season: click here for more details
| What | Glyndebourne 2021: new productions and old favourites |
| Where | Glyndebourne, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 5UU | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Victoria (underground) |
| When |
20 May 21 – 29 Aug 21, six productions, with performances most evenings and long dinner interval. Full schedule to be announced |
| Price | £TBC |
| Website | Click here for more information and booking |