MIDSUMMER OPERA Competitors

Glyndebourne – situated on the edge of the South Downs National Park in East Sussex – is recognised internationally as one of the world’s leading opera houses; a reputation that stems from a passion for artistic excellence encapsulated in founder John Christie’s insistence on doing ‘not the best we can do but the best that can be done anywhere’. John and his opera singer wife, Audrey Mildmay, founded the Glyndebourne Festival in 1934. Glyndebourne’s annual summer Festival runs for 15 weeks from May to August presenting more than 70 world-class opera performances in a 1,250-seat opera house. Throughout its history, Glyndebourne has been a pioneer in reaching new audiences. Its expanded Autumn Season offers affordable access to exceptional opera and music while shining a spotlight on emerging talent. Subsidised Festival tickets are available for families, under-30s and under-40s. Glyndebourne also produces open days, art and archive exhibitions, member events and more. An award-winning Learning & Engagement programme is active year-round, staging new work and delivering projects to enhance the understanding and enjoyment of opera among a diverse and broad audience. Since its founding in 1934, Glyndebourne has remained financially independent. As a registered charity, the company’s work is funded by Box Office income, Members and supporters, with valued Arts Council England support for learning and engagement work.

ENO is founded on the belief that opera of the highest quality should be accessible to everyone. Musical storytellers At ENO opera is theatre; expressing drama through the unique combination of music, text, dance and design. We sing in English. We believe that singing in our own language to the drama on stage, and enhances the experience for all. We collaborate across contemporary art forms to reflect the growing diversity of our culture. And we take a fresh approach right across the repertoire, from baroque to contemporary, as part of our commitment to the future of the art form. Widening access We bring our productions to the widest possible audience, whether at the London Coliseum, nationally or internationally. We make our work accessible by offering a large proportion of tickets at affordable prices, and by distributing it widely on screen and via digital media. We also aim to introduce completely new audiences to the magic of opera through stimulating and creative participation programmes. Nurturing creative talent We are a national company of internationally recognised standard. We nurture talent across the entire company, whether on stage, backstage or in the pit. We provide a platform for young singers to develop global careers. Our vision ENO will be synonymous with making great opera accessible to the widest and most diverse audiences. We will continue to forge ground-breaking collaborations across art forms, and our world-class productions will inspire, surprise and captivate. We will be recognised as the national centre of excellence for developing opera, and as the benchmark for nurturing new talent. We will reach out to communities who might think opera is not for them. We will tell the world’s most timeless stories, unforgettably.

Welsh National Opera transforms lives through the power of opera. We are passionate about opera and want to share this passion with as many people as possible. We do this with award winning performances of fully staged opera and concerts which combine a sense of adventure with the highest possible quality. We keep our performances accessible through affordable ticket prices. Beyond the theatre we connect with people through our community and education work and digital projects. - Mae Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru yn trawsnewid bywydau drwy rym opera. Rydym yn angerddol am opera ac eisiau rhannu'r angerdd hwn gyda chynifer o bobl â phosibl. Rydym yn gwneud hyn gyda pherfformiadau arobryn o opera wedi'i llwyfannu'n llawn a chyngherddau sy'n cyfuno ymdeimlad o antur â'r ansawdd uchaf posibl. Rydym yn cadw ein perfformiadau'n hygyrch drwy brisiau tocynnau fforddiadwy. Y tu hwnt i'r theatr rydym yn cysylltu â phobl drwy ein gwaith cymunedol ac addysg a phrosiectau digidol.