| Longborough Festival Opera - Longborough | 17 October 2021 |
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Performance reviews
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The Cunning Little VixenLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 6 | |
A magical offering of fun and fantasy in this wonderful outpouring of late Janáček |
 21 Aug 21 / Stratford-upon-Avon Herald |
Longborough’s 2021 season concludes with a production representing a new direction for its Emerging Artist programme |
| 6 Aug 21 / Music OMH |
Vivid and potent musical performances, which convey the life-affirmative spirit of Janáček’s creation |
| 4 Aug 21 / Classical Source |
more reviews [+]
Longborough Festival Opera's new Vixen a cunning, charming success |
| 3 Aug 21 / Bachtrack |
Life, death and the menopause in the forest |
| 2 Aug 21 / The Arts Desk |
Longborough’s emerging artists and youth chorus fashion a Cunning spirits-lifting close to the season |
| 1 Aug 21 / Seen and Heard |
Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patriaLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
A taut new production |
| 21 Jul 21 / iNews |
Tenderness and thuggery plus a touch of the Pythons |
| 15 Jul 21 / The Guardian |
Così fan tutteLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Così fan tutte is living proof of Longborough Festival Opera’s extraordinary inventiveness in the face of adversity |
| 17 Jul 21 / Stratford-upon-Avon Herald |
One of the best productions of Così I have seen |
| 6 Jul 21 / Classical Source |
As Longborough’s 2021 season moves beyond Wagner, a new venue takes centre-stage and the fun flows freely |
| 6 Jul 21 / Music OMH |
more reviews [+]
Longborough’s Big Top Così fan tutte just about survives the cuts and the re-orchestration |
| 30 Jun 21 / Seen and Heard |
Die WalküreLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
A socially distanced semi-staged Die Walküre with many musical highlights returns summer opera to Longborough |
| 11 Jun 21 / Seen and Heard |
A semi-successful semi-staging of Die Walküre at Longborough Festival Opera |
| 9 Jun 21 / Bachtrack |
This is a Wagner performance that stands out on its own highly creditable terms |
| 8 Jun 21 / Classical Source |
more reviews [+]
A powerful electricity runs through the evening |
| 4 Jun 21 / Music OMH |
Covid constraints achieve intimacy and intensity |
| 3 Jun 21 / The Guardian |
Don GiovanniLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 6 | |
The singing for this production was of the highest order |
| 20 Aug 19 / Stratford-upon-Avon Herald |
The best singing of the evening comes from Paula Sides as Donna Anna |
| 18 Jul 19 / Music OMH |
Longborough’s female-centric Don Giovanni |
| 15 Jul 19 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
Characterisations are well-defined through strong, authoritative singing |
| 13 Jul 19 / Classical Source |
Longborough’s female-centric Don Giovanni |
| 13 Jul 19 / Seen and Heard |
“The Predator Punish'd”: Longborough's new Don Giovanni |
| 13 Jul 19 / Bachtrack |
La CalistoLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Longborough Festival Opera’s 2019 Young Artist production is a highly dynamic telling of La Calisto |
| 5 Aug 19 / Music OMH |
The production winningly adapts much of the fun of Cavalli’s original |
| 31 Jul 19 / Classical Source |
In La Calisto, Longborough’s Young Artists Spectacularly Defy Human Frailty |
| 31 Jul 19 / Seen and Heard |
Anna BolenaLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 6 | |
La distribution du jour fait bon effet |
| 14 Jul 19 / Anaclase |
Longborough’s Anna Bolena continues the 2019 season’s success |
| 28 Jun 19 / Seen and Heard |
Longborough has done it proud |
| 27 Jun 19 / Classical Source |
more reviews [+]
Masks and marriages |
| 26 Jun 19 / Bachtrack |
Tudor Queens in the Cotswolds — Italian style |
| 26 Jun 19 / The Article |
A highly memorable evening |
| 24 Jun 19 / Music OMH |
Das RheingoldLongborough Festival OperaNo. of reviews: 6 | |
Anthony Negus conducts Das Rheingold at Longborough |
| 14 Jun 19 / Opera Today |
English Summer Opera gets underway |
| 12 Jun 19 / The Article |
With Das Rheingold Longborough sets off once again on the Ring road |
| 11 Jun 19 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
Mark Stone, with his powerful baritone, arguably produces the strongest singing of the evening as Alberich |
| 9 Jun 19 / Music OMH |
Longborough begins new Ring with assurance and clarity |
| 7 Jun 19 / The Guardian |
For Wagnerians, the next four years are sewn up |
| 7 Jun 19 / Classical Source |
associated articles [+]
The miracle of Longborough
Ring cycles have been known to break national opera companies. Longborough Festival Opera is about to embark upon their second. How do they do it?
Ring cycles have been known to break national opera companies. Longborough Festival Opera is about to embark upon their second. How do they do it?
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 / The Oxford Times |
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 |
Reviews search
Performance schedule
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News & Articles
| We're all going to the circus |
Longborough Festival Opera's imaginative solution for Summer opera. |
| 1 Mar 2021 / Planet Hugill |
| Longborough Festival Opera, 2020 reporté en 2021 grâce aux dons |
Le Festival d'Opéra de Longborough a été contraint d'annuler son édition 2020 (en mars dernier) mais dans un Royaume culturel désuni et en ruines, il a pu en sauver une belle proportion ainsi que des engagements d'artistes pour 2021. |
| 14 Nov 2020 / Olyrix |
| Longborough Festival Opera announces 2021 season |
The U.K festival, which is scheduled to take place between June 4 and August 3 will showcase four productions. |
| 24 Jul 2020 / OperaWire |
| Longborough Festival Opera audience members raise over £300,000 |
The Longborough Festival Opera has announced that 1,000 audience members have chosen to donate the value of their tickets, generating a fund of over £300,000. |
| 25 Apr 2020 / OperaWire |
| The miracle of Longborough |
Ring cycles have been known to break national opera companies. Longborough Festival Opera is about to embark upon their second. How do they do it? |
| 7 Jun 2019 / The Spectator |
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