About

Each Summer, Garsington Opera gives performances of great artistic quality in its spectacular Opera Pavilion, set within the extraordinary natural beauty of the Chiltern Hills. The festival presents a programme of four operas each year during a seven-week summer period, often including a Mozart opera. Attracting high-profile performers, the Garsington experience combines artistic excellence with a warm welcome and excellent dining to create a very special experience for all.

The festival works in partnership with the world-renowned Philharmonia Orchestra and the internationally acclaimed The English Concert. The contributions of both orchestras and the enthusiasm and vibrancy of the Garsington Opera Chorus, most of whom are just out of music conservatoires, are integral to the Garsington Opera experience. Part of the Young Artists’ programme, participants receive excellent tuition, stage experience (also working as covers) and receive practical support in areas such as auditioning, self-employment for artists and mental wellbeing.

Alongside the festival, the company also delivers a year-round broad range of community engagement. GO Participate works with schools and other groups both home and abroad, running a community youth and adult company with opportunities as part of the festival both on and off-stage. There is an ambition to develop this into a rich programme of Production Arts Traineeships built on the placements we already offer backstage as part of the Festival.

The new Garsington Studios will bring all the companies’ activities under one roof, just a stone’s throw away from the Pavilion. The Studios will enable extended opportunities for more people to engage with art and culture in Buckinghamshire and to safeguard the future of Garsington Opera for generations to come.