| Longborough Festival Opera - Longborough | 20 April 2019 |
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Performance reviews
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L'incoronazione di PoppeaLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
L’incoronazione di Poppea constitutes Longborough Festival Opera’s 2018 Young Artist production, and the cast is magnificent |
 4 Aug 18 / Music OMH |
Young Artists show their talent in Longborough’s L’Incoronazione di Poppea |
| 2 Aug 18 / Seen and Heard |
Victims of love |
| 31 Jul 18 / The Critics' Circle |
more reviews [+]
The vitality of Monteverdi’s score remains more or less intact in Jeremy Silver’s reading |
| 30 Jul 18 / Classical Source |
Ariadne auf NaxosLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 8 | |
Thrilling energy & humour from Longborough Festival Opera |
| 26 Jul 18 / The Spectator |
Captivating and glorious |
| 25 Jul 18 / Seen and Heard |
What really brings it all to life is the conducting by Anthony Negus |
| 18 Jul 18 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
more reviews [+]
A game of two halves |
| 18 Jul 18 / Bachtrack |
Anthony Negus was the star of this show |
| 17 Jul 18 / The Critics' Circle |
Alan Privett’s production of Ariadne is another huge Longborough success |
| 16 Jul 18 / Seen and Heard |
Never less than a highly accomplished production that, in such an intimate setting, packs quite a punch |
| 16 Jul 18 / Music OMH |
Like the staging, the music jumps off the page |
| 15 Jul 18 / Classical Source |
La TraviataLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Shame, camera, action |
| 29 Jun 18 / Bachtrack |
This interpretation of La traviata is as successful as it is innovative |
| 28 Jun 18 / Music OMH |
An emotionally-charged La Traviata |
| 26 Jun 18 / Classical Source |
Der Fliegende HolländerLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 10 | |
Opera needs this kind of intrepid eccentricity |
| 18 Jun 18 / The Observer |
An exhilarating storm-tossed evening in the Cotswolds |
| 16 Jun 18 / Bachtrack |
Longborough continues to be a refuge for British Wagnerians fleeing idiotic productions |
| 14 Jun 18 / The Spectator |
more reviews [+]
A welcome addition to the festival’s exploration of Wagner's earlier creations |
| 13 Jun 18 / Music OMH |
Anthony Negus’s conducting allows Longborough’s Der Fliegende Holländer to conquer high seas |
| 11 Jun 18 / Seen and Heard |
Longborough’s track record with Wagner’s works is an astonishingly thrilling achievement |
| 9 Jun 18 / Stratford-upon-Avon Herald |
Negus sets up the story’s tensions in a passionate, spacious account of the overture |
| 8 Jun 18 / Classical Source |
Beautifully played but dramatically inert |
| 8 Jun 18 / The Stage |
A production that really flies |
| 8 Jun 18 / Telegraph |
The Flying Dutchman opens this year's Longborough Festival and a star is born |
| 8 Jun 18 / What's on Stage |
Orfeo ed EuridiceLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 7 | |
The cast reveals a wealth of talent |
| 10 Aug 17 / Music OMH |
Jagusz’s production certainly confirmed the artistic power of economy |
| 7 Aug 17 / Opera Today |
A Bollywood Orfeo ed Euridice showcases Longborough Festival Opera’s young artists |
| 7 Aug 17 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
Simplicity in Longborough's Orfeo ed Euridice |
| 4 Aug 17 / Bachtrack |
To hell and back |
| 1 Aug 17 / The Critics' Circle |
Music conquers all |
| 1 Aug 17 / The Stage |
The three vocal soloists emerge as musically distinctive, independent figures |
| 31 Jul 17 / Classical Source |
Die ZauberflöteLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
The audience at Longborough Festival Opera seemed to enjoy The Magic Flute far more than I did |
| 20 Jul 17 / The Spectator |
Who pulls the strings? Mozart's Magic Flute at Longborough |
| 19 Jul 17 / Bachtrack |
A mixed bag in which the musical dimension is more appealing than the production |
| 15 Jul 17 / Classical Source |
FidelioLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 8 | |
Une poignée de bons chanteurs engonce loyalement la production |
| 17 Jul 17 / Anaclase |
There is something slightly discomfiting in the tricksy production director Orpha Phelan offers here |
| 8 Jul 17 / Oxford Times Online |
Among the singers, the soprano, Elizabeth Atherton, as Leonore/Fidelio emerged as the real star of the show |
| 8 Jul 17 / Stratford-upon-Avon Herald |
more reviews [+]
As Leonore, Elizabeth Atherton produces a very clean, pure and accurate sound |
| 5 Jul 17 / Music OMH |
That this Fidelio is merely frustrating counts as something of a success |
| 29 Jun 17 / The Spectator |
A challenging, provocative and highly rewarding evening |
| 29 Jun 17 / Independent |
Impressive singing in Longborough Fidelio
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| 27 Jun 17 / Bachtrack |
It’s a miracle that the music makes any headway |
| 26 Jun 17 / Classical Source |
Tristan und IsoldeLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 9 | |
A world class Tristan und Isolde in a barn shed |
| 11 Jul 17 / Opera Today |
Lee Bisset as Isolde was glorious |
| 29 Jun 17 / Seen and Heard |
One of the most exalting operatic experience I have had |
| 22 Jun 17 / The Spectator |
more reviews [+]
Tristan und Isolde is so hot it sizzles |
| 17 Jun 17 / The Observer |
Anthony Negus and Carmen Jakobi’s Tristan und Isolde at Longborough excels musically and scenically |
| 15 Jun 17 / Seen and Heard |
Lee Bisset’s Isolde is remarkable, so beautifully expressive and vocally powerful |
| 14 Jun 17 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
Peter Wedd and Lee Bisset prove particularly effective in the title roles |
| 11 Jun 17 / Music OMH |
A flesh & blood Tristan at Longborough |
| 10 Jun 17 / Bachtrack |
Anthony Negus brings a compelling authority to Wagner – his conducting is in a league of its own |
| 10 Jun 17 / Classical Source |
JenufaLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 7 | |
Trouble at mill |
| 16 Aug 16 / The Critics' Circle |
The part of Kostelnicka needs to be performed by a larger-than-life woman and Ms Keeble fits the bill so convincingly |
| 27 Jul 16 / Stratford-upon-Avon Herald |
Gaynor Keeble gives an acting master-class worthy of any theatrical stage |
| 21 Jul 16 / Goucestershire Live |
more reviews [+]
Janáček's masterpiece is graced by a memorable performance in the title role |
| 21 Jul 16 / What's on Stage |
No histrionics, just raw emotion for Janáček's tragic opera |
| 19 Jul 16 / The Guardian |
Janáček's happy-ending tragedy is powerfully moving despite untidy details |
| 19 Jul 16 / The Arts Desk |
Lee Bisset’s Jenůfa went from strength to strength |
| 18 Jul 16 / Classical Source |
AlcinaLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
High musical values in this jumble sale-chic show |
| 5 Aug 16 / Evening Standard |
A brooding Alcina at Longborough |
| 2 Aug 16 / Seen and Heard |
Handelians will be impressed |
| 1 Aug 16 / Classical Source |
Le nozze di FigaroLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 6 | |
The singing was uniformly excellent |
| 5 Jul 16 / Independent |
Longborough’s Figaro is a spirited and exceptionally well-performed version of this comedy of errors |
| 5 Jul 16 / Stratford-upon-Avon Herald |
A thought-provoking Marriage of Figaro at Longborough |
| 30 Jun 16 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
Robert Houssart conducts well and the singing is generally of a high standard |
| 29 Jun 16 / Music OMH |
With its comparative economy of means, this is a very likeable production of Mozart’s masterpiece |
| 29 Jun 16 / Classical Source |
Upstairs, downstairs |
| 28 Jun 16 / Bachtrack |
Tristan und IsoldeLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 10 | |
John Treleaven gave a creditable portrayal of a man in psychological torment |
| 18 Jun 16 / Stratford-upon-Avon Herald |
Longborough's new production of Tristan und Isolde will remain a yardstick |
| 25 Jun 15 / The Spectator |
A five-star musical performance trapped in a one-star production of Wagner's opera |
| 24 Jun 15 / What's on Stage |
more reviews [+]
In the end it was Rachel Nicholls whose natural modesty and effortless singing swept all aside |
| 24 Jun 15 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
At its centre are the performances of Peter Wedd as Tristan and Rachel Nicholls as Isolde |
| 23 Jun 15 / The Birmingham Post |
Longborough Festival Opera sets high standard with Tristan und Isolde |
| 22 Jun 15 / Seen and Heard |
When it comes to staging Wagner, musical intelligence is more important than vast resources and superstar talent |
| 18 Jun 15 / Telegraph |
Longborough’s Tristan is a musical triumph under conductor Anthony Negus |
| 18 Jun 15 / The Stage |
‘Tristan und Isolde’ brings thunder to the Longborough Festival |
| 18 Jun 15 / New York Times |
Negus's conducting is worth the entire evening |
| 18 Jun 15 / The Guardian |
TannhäuserLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 10 | |
Longborough’s Tannhäuser is a major relief after ENO’s abysmal Tristan |
| 17 Jun 16 / The Spectator |
Negus brings persuasive grandeur and lightness of touch to Longborough’s Tannhäuser |
| 17 Jun 16 / Seen and Heard |
A clear staging but the singing disappoints |
| 15 Jun 16 / The Guardian |
more reviews [+]
An enjoyable and illuminating Tannhäuser |
| 15 Jun 16 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
This Tannhäuser is a treat for the ears - but it's a shame about the staging |
| 14 Jun 16 / Telegraph |
Tricky things, orgies |
| 13 Jun 16 / Gloucestershire Echo |
Ganz nach Wagners Geschmack |
| 13 Jun 16 / Opernnetz |
The greatest hero of all is Anthony Negus whose conducting explores every phrase and nuance in the music |
| 12 Jun 16 / Music OMH |
This is a Tannhäuser not to miss |
| 11 Jun 16 / Classical Source |
Impressively conducted Tannhäuser from Anthony Negus opens Longborough’s season |
| 11 Jun 16 / Bachtrack |
XerxesLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Handel's Serse from Longborough's young artists |
| 3 Aug 15 / Planet Hugill |
A feast of virtuoso singing and lively characterisation |
| 30 Jul 15 / The Birmingham Post |
Passion, jealousy and deceit in Handel’s Xerxes at Longborough |
| 27 Jul 15 / Seen and Heard |
RigolettoLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Longborough has the Midas touch of bringing quality and creative imagination to whatever the work it is staging |
| 14 Jul 15 / The Birmingham Post |
Verdi's Mantua transplanted to Detroit but better sung than staged |
| 10 Jul 15 / The Arts Desk |
Glory days and nights at Longborough |
| 10 Jul 15 / Stratford-upon-Avon Herald |
more reviews [+]
American 1920s setting works a treat |
| 7 Jul 15 / Independent |
Longborough delivers a quality Rigoletto 1920s-style |
| 7 Jul 15 / Bachtrack |
Don PasqualeLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
The 18th century sections of this production worked gloriously |
| 14 Jul 15 / The Birmingham Post |
Glory days and nights at Longborough |
| 10 Jul 15 / Stratford-upon-Avon Herald |
Susanna Hurrell shines at Longborough's Don Pasquale |
| 7 Jul 15 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
Imaginative staging of Don Pasquale at Longborough |
| 6 Jul 15 / Seen and Heard |
RinaldoLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Handel's crusade is replaced by a circus |
| 26 Jul 14 / The Guardian |
Crusades to circus: Handel’s Rinaldo in a surprising setting |
| 26 Jul 14 / Seen and Heard |
Il barbiere di SivigliaLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
"Just my usual, please, Figaro" |
| 12 Jul 14 / Bachtrack |
The presentation in this production overtaxes the venue |
| 5 Jul 14 / The Birmingham Post |
ToscaLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
An extraordinarily sensitive performance from Lee Bisset as Tosca |
| 27 Jun 14 / The Birmingham Post |
La bohèmeLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Puccini's concise masterpiece flourishes as Wagner's expansive one did in intimate surroundings |
| 22 Jul 13 / The Arts Desk |
Der Ring des NibelungenLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
No one who was there would doubt this was a great event |
| 25 Jun 13 / The Guardian |
Brilliant Wagner in small theatre reveals unexpected intimacies |
| 24 Jun 13 / The Arts Desk |
Die Walküre: Magic fire is being kindled in the Cotswolds |
| 20 Jun 13 / Independent |
associated articles [+]
‘Ring’ without the bling
A Wagnerite couple prepares to tackle opera’s Everest in a sleepy village deep in the English countryside.
A Wagnerite couple prepares to tackle opera’s Everest in a sleepy village deep in the English countryside.
GötterdämmerungLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 7 | |
Vocally, there was much to savour throughout the cast |
| 27 Jul 12 / Oxford Times Online |
A monumental achievement |
| 23 Jul 12 / Seen and Heard |
By any reckoning it was a staggering achievement |
| 22 Jul 12 / The Observer |
more reviews [+]
Wagner himself would be delighted with Alan Privett’s production of Götterdämmerung |
| 19 Jul 12 / Telegraph |
Rachel Nicholls dominates the stage as the ex-Valkyrie |
| 19 Jul 12 / Independent |
Longborough’s staging tells the story simply, truthfully and imaginatively |
| 19 Jul 12 / Financial Times (via Google) |
Superb Wagner in a Gloucestershire barn promises well for next year's Ring cycle |
| 18 Jul 12 / The Arts Desk |
Kat'a KabanovaLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
A thrilling, sometimes emotionally draining production of Leos Janacek’s Katya Kabanova |
| 28 Jun 12 / Oxford Times Online |
Janáèek's Russia as a house of the dead with a spotlight on emotion |
| 28 Jun 12 / The Arts Desk |
Die ZauberflöteLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
This Flute lacks any sense of magic or the supernatural |
| 14 Jun 12 / Oxford Times Online |
Magical start to the 21st Longborough Opera Festival |
| 12 Jun 12 / Seen and Heard |
| No more reviews |
Reviews search
Performance schedule
Wagner
5 to 11 Jun 2019
Donizetti
22 Jun to 1 Jul 2019
Mozart
11 to 20 Jul 2019
Cavalli
29 Jul to 3 Aug 2019
News & Articles
| Longborough Festival Opera announces 2020 season |
Longborough Festival Opera has revealed the programme for its 2020 season, which includes the next instalment in its new Ring cycle, Wagner’s Die Walküre. |
| 9 Apr 2019 / Opera Now |
| Longborough Festival Opera to receive Wagner Society award |
The Wagner Society has announced that Longborough Festival Opera co-founders Martin and Lizzie Graham will receive its prestigious Reginald Goodall Award. |
| 27 Feb 2019 / Opera Today |
| Polly Graham named Longborough Festival Opera artistic director |
The 33-year-old opera director, daughter of festival founders Martin and Lizzie Graham, will take up the new role with immediate effect, combining it with her independent directing career. |
| 22 Feb 2018 / Opera Now |
| Longborough – from cowshed to world-class opera house |
“People ask: how do you build a theatre?” says Martin Graham, co-founder of Longborough Festival Opera. “And I just say: ‘You go into a field with a spade and you start digging’.” |
| 5 Aug 2015 / The Stage |
| How the Cotswolds became a mecca for Wagnerians |
Alan Rusbridger meets Martin and Lizzie Graham, the inspiring couple who have put on the Ring cycle and now Tristan und Isolde in a converted barn, as they embark on their latest operatic adventure. |
| 8 Jun 2015 / The Guardian |
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