The C&TH Guide To Glyndebourne Festival
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5 days ago
The opera event of the year is back; here's what you need to know
Every summer, East Sussex comes alive thanks to Glyndebourne. Created in 1934 by John Christie and Audrey Mildmay who shared a love of the unique music genre, Glyndebourne is an elegant celebration of all that British opera has to offer. Here’s what you need to know about the 2025 edition.
Glyndebourne Festival 2025: A Guide
The garden at Glyndebourne, East Sussex, 9 August 2024.
What Is It?
From nurturing and showcasing budding talent to curating art exhibitions, Glyndebourne Festival is a sophisticated summer affair that draws opera lovers from all over to experience world-class music in an atmospheric countryside setting.
Running every year from May through to the end of August, Glyndebourne Festival essentially consists of a season of six opera productions performed in the namesake opera house, a state-of-the-art indoor auditorium. But it’s so much more than that. Glyndebourne boasts both a black tie tradition for a real sense of occasion, as well as glorious grounds to enjoy during the idiosyncratic 90 minute intervals. Indulge in a picnic, or venture to one of the on-site restaurants, spanning fine dining to plant-driven cuisine. (Find our full guide to dining at Glyndebourne here.) And best of all, the black tie is optional if you don’t fancy dressing to the nines.
Celebrating its 90th birthday in 2024, Glyndebourne is recognised internationally as one of the world’s leading opera houses, boasting a 1,250-seat opera house in the heart of the Sussex countryside. The annual summer festival is joined by family open days, art and archive exhibitions, Member events, and an Autumn Season of opera and concerts to boot.
When & Where?
Glyndebourne runs every year from May through to August. This year, the Festival will officially commence on 16 May when the first opera is performed, and close with the final performance on 24 August.
Glyndebourne is a country house in Lewes, East Sussex. Find it at New Rd, Lewes BN8 5UU.
Don Pasquale at Glyndebourne, 2017 (© Sam Stephenson)
What’s On At Glyndebourne 2025?
This year’s six operas are:
- Il Barbiere di Siviglia, running 16 May to 3 July
- Parsifal, running 17 May to 24 June
- Saul, running 8 June to 24 July
- Le Nozze di Figaro, running 29 June to 21 August
- Falstaff, running 13 July to 24 August
- Káťa Kabanová, running 3 to 23 August
All tickets can be booked at glyndebourne.com
Off-stage, brand new exhibition Oliver Messel: Designer, Maker, Influencer celebrates the legacy of one of the most influential British stage designers of the 20th century, showcasing rarely-seen designs and props to highlight his distinctive, meticulous aesthetic. In celebration of his enduring influence, new works by contemporary artists Pablo Bronstein and Luke Edward Hall will also be on display.
Il Barbiere di Siviglia
First staged in 2016, this is a revival of Annabel Arden’s production brimming with sharp humour and unexpected twists, set to Rossini’s glittering score. When Rosina (Cecilia Molinari) teams up with Figaro (Germán Olvera) and Count Almaviva (Jonah Hoskins) to escape Dr Bartolo’s (Fabio Capitanucci) clutches, a hilarious battle of wills ensues.
Details: Performances on 16, 18, 22, 24, 27, 30 May; 1, 4, 7, 14, 18, 21, 27 June; and 3 July. Tickets are priced between £25 and £295.
Parsifal
Wagner’s final opera makes its Glyndebourne debut this summer, featuring a cast of nearly 200 performers and orchestra. Likewise, director Jetske Mijnssen makes her Glyndebourne, joined by Robin Ticciati conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Details: Performances on 17, 21, 25, 29 May; and 2, 6, 11, 15, 19, 24 June. Tickets are priced between £45 and £315.
Saul
Having premiered at Glyndebourne Festival one decade ago, Saul has travelled to opera houses around the world. Staged by Barrie Kosky, jealousy drives the first king of Israel, Saul (Christopher Purves), to madness and destruction in the face of his eventual successor, David (Iestyn Davies. They’re joined by Sarah Brady as Merab and Soraya Mafi as Michal, with early music specialist Jonathan Cohen conducting the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
Details: Performances on 29 June; 1, 5, 7, 11, 15, 17, 20, 22, 25, 27, 30 July; and 2, 5, 8, 10, 13, 16, 18, 21 August. Tickets are priced between £35 and £295.
Le Nozze di Figaro
This comic masterpiece by Mozart is the most performed opera in Glyndebourne’s history, and it makes a return for the 2025 Festival in a new staging directed by Mariame Clément. Conductor Riccardo Minasi conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, joined by an exciting young cast including Huw Montague Rendall and Louise Alder as Count and Countess Almaviva.
Details: 1, 5, 7, 11, 15, 17, 20, 22, 25, 27, 30 July; and 2, 5, 8, 10, 13, 16, 18, 21 August. Tickets are priced between £35 and £295.
Falstaff
This madcap comedy showcases classic Elizabethan foil Falstaff (Renato Girolami) who bites of more than he can chew when he messes with the merry wives of Windsor. Verdi’s comedy was transformed into a quick-footed post-war romp by Richard Jones in 2009, and Sian Edwards conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra at Glyndebourne Festival 2025 in a production that promises breathless energy and belly laughs.
Details: Performances on 1, 7, 11, 15, 19, 22, 24 August. Tickets are priced between £30 and £295.
Káťa Kabanová
This searingly beautiful staging by Damiano Michieletto makes its first revival since 2021 at Glyndebourne Festival 2025, with conductor Robin Ticciati reuniting with Kateřina Kněžíková, who returns to the title role.
Details: Performances on 3, 6, 9, 12, 14, 17, 20, 23 August. Tickets are priced between £25 and £265.
Glyndebourne, East Sussex, 23 May 2024
What To Wear
The tradition of an evening dress code during the Glyndebourne Festival originated with founder John Christie, who felt that it was one of the ways the audience could show its respect for the performers.
Formal evening dress is customary for the summer festival, making it the perfect occasion for dressing up after spending months in ‘loungewear’. Given the perils of the British weather, it is advisable to come prepared; cardigans, throws and light jackets are recommended.
Find our full guide to Glyndebourne dressing here.
The gardens at Glyndebourne
What To Eat
The extensive gardens of Glyndebourne are prime picnicking real estate and you can choose where you would like your picnic set up for you from a map, or opt for socially-distanced seating. If bringing their own provisions, guests can book a table or chair, but are also welcome to just bring a blanket and settle in. Want more recommendations? Read our full guide.
