Garsington Opera at Wormsley 2014 Beethoven

Garsington Opera at Wormsley commemorates its 25th anniversary next year with its most ambitious programme ever. “Wormsley has tremendous potential”, said Artistic Director Douglas Boyd. He adds, “and Mark Getty understands how it can contribute to the wider community, beyond opera. We are planning a Beethoven weekend which will include Beethoven’s Fidelio, a revival of the popular Garsington Opera production from 2009. We’ll link the themes of brotherhood, freedom from oppression and sacrifice which run through Fidelio, Beethoven’s Egmont and the Ninth Symphony."

The summer festival begins on 6th June with Beethoven's Singspiel Fidelio in the acclaimed production by John Cox (photo copyright Gary McCann) conducted by Douglas Boyd.  Rebecca von Lipinsky returns as Leonore, supported by Peter Wedd, Darren Jeffrey, Stephen Richardson, Jennifer France, Sam Furness, and Joshua Bloom. Beethoven's ideals deserve remembering in 2014, one hundred years after the beginning of the First World War. The special Beethoven Weekend, starting July 5th titled "Peace in our Time?" will focus on Fidelio's libertarian ideas and will feature talks, master classes, a recital by cellist Steven Isserlis and much more.  It will culminate in a commemorative concert including Beethoven's 9th Symphony, with the Garsington Opera Orchestra on stage for the very first time.

In Garsington Opera's long tradition of reviving rarities, Jaques OIffenbach's Vert Vert will receive its British premiere. Vert-vert should be fun. It's risqué! "Vert-vert" was a parrot in a genteel girls's school. How do the girls amuse themselves when he's gone? Robert Murray, a popular young tenor, sings the title role. David Parry conducts. Vert-vert is also being screened on the beach at Skegness as part of the SO Festival.

Leoš Janáček The Cunning Little Vixen starts 22nd June. Garry Walker conducts and Danoiel Slater directs. Read about his Die Entführung aus dem Serail here - how imaginative his Vixen could be! The casst includes Claire Booth, Grant Doyle, Joshua Bloom, Henry Waddington and Timothy Robinson.

 For more information see the Garsington Opera at Wormsley site here.