The Big Give Arts for Impact
We are delighted to be taking part in the 2026 Big Give Arts for Impact campaign. Arts for Impact is a match funding campaign developed to support arts and culture organisations making a transformational difference in their communities.
We are aiming to raise a total of £20,000 to support our OperaFirst programme. Every donation made via the Big Give from midday on 17 March to midday on 24 March up to £10,000 will be doubled until we reach our goal amount.
Our OperaFirst programme introduces the next generation to the wonderful world of opera through in-school workshops and live performance at our Opera Pavilion. We aim to inspire creativity, build confidence and open pathways to lifelong engagement with the arts at Garsington and beyond.
To donate, visit BigGive.org between midday on Tuesday 17 to Tuesday 24 March or visit the link below to pledge your support now. No matter the size, your gift will make twice the difference.
OperaFirst
Workshops
At the beginning of the OperaFirst process, creative professionals visit schools to lead an engaging and immersive workshop that introduces students to the world of opera. During this initial session, they explore what opera is, how stories are told through music and performance, and the many creative roles involved in bringing a production to life. Students are guided through the practical aspects of staging scenes, developing performance skills, and learning repertoire from an opera being performed as part of our summer festival. This workshop serves as the programme’s first point of contact with students, sparking curiosity, building confidence, and laying the creative foundations for the rest of the OperaFirst journey.
Performances
Primary students are introduced to opera through a specially tailored performance led by two lively presenters who weave storytelling, humour, and interactive moments throughout, encouraging our younger audience to respond, participate, and feel part of the drama unfolding on stage. Secondary students enjoy an engaging introduction to the themes, music, and context of the work before watching a full-length show. Each OperaFirst performance is adapted from one of the productions involved in our Summer Festival and sung by wonderful artists from our Alvarez Emerging Artist programme. They take place in our Opera Pavilion surrounded by the beautiful Chiltern Hills, with full costumes and sets, accompanied by one of our world-class partner orchestras, the Philharmonia and the English Concert.
Behind-the-scenes
At each performance, students are given an opportunity to go behind-the-scenes of a live production, exploring what happens both backstage and in the orchestra pit to bring every performance to life.
We show how many creative and technical elements support what audiences see, from Wigs, Hair and Makeup, to Costume, Lighting and Stage Management. This gives students a new understanding of the creative industries, introducing them to the wide range of career pathways within opera and live performance.
Presenters highlight the different orchestral instruments that might be involved in a production, from Piccolo to Double Bass, exploring how they sound individually and together, and also explain the role of the conductor in shaping the orchestral sound.