Opera performances in the Cotswolds during the summer

This summer, Longborough Festival Opera in the Cotswolds is embarking on its most ambitious project yet – staging Wagner’s monumental Ring Cycle from June 16 to July 6. Set in a converted chicken shed turned opera theatre, the festival promises an unforgettable three-week experience that goes beyond just the main performances.

In addition to the epic operas, attendees can look forward to a series of events featuring talks by renowned figures in the opera world such as Sir David Poutney, Sir John Tomlinson, and Simon Callow. And the excitement doesn’t stop there – later in the summer, Longborough Festival Opera will present a new production of Puccini’s beloved La bohème, marking the composer’s centenary year.

What started as Banks Fee Opera in 1991 by Martin and Lizzie Graham has now evolved into Longborough Festival Opera, a well-established opera company located in the heart of the Cotswolds. The purpose-built opera house, accommodating up to 500 audience members, hosts an annual season of exceptional performances.

The festival’s artistic direction remains within the family, with Polly Graham, the Grahams’ daughter and a highly regarded opera director, taking the reins as artistic director in 2018. As a privately funded opera company, Longborough Festival Opera relies on ticket sales and the support of its members and audiences to continue bringing world-class opera to the picturesque Cotswolds setting.

To learn more about the festival and its upcoming events, visit the Longborough Festival Opera website.