Longborough Opera

2011

2010-10-13T05:08:00.000-07:00

The new season dates and opera are now listed on the website - and bookings for members open soon. Cosi fan tutte, Falstaff and Siegfried.

Madama Butterfly

2010-07-04T07:38:00.000-07:00

Madama Butterfly opened last night We have a matinee performance this afternoon (for those who like to escape Wimbledon :-) the weather is a bit windy and grey though.

2010-06-17T11:40:00.000-07:00

and we're open. First night tonight, a performance of Don Giovanni with glorious weather. Meanwhile, Madama Butterfly and Die Walküre are both rehearsing in London. A few seats left for each opera, but only a few!

Wotan escapes!

2010-05-29T03:28:00.000-07:00

We were tickled by this news story this week - especially when we read the name of the escapee!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8705961.stm

Garden landscaping

2010-04-27T06:04:00.000-07:00

a new lawn is being laid to accommodate the Buffet Marquee on a level surface.

2010-04-20T01:50:00.000-07:00

What's happening in June and July! Performances of Don Giovanni, Madama Butterfly, Die Walküre; a Young Artists Concert; and a visit by the Gloucestershire Youth Players. Full details on our website http://www.lfo.org.uk/

Young Artists

2010-04-16T07:20:00.000-07:00

This week we've had 12 young artists rehearsing all week for our Young Artists Concert taking place on 17 July. Because many of them are still in college, this is a quick week, which will be followed up by a further week's rehearsal in July.

And visits from Production Manager, Lighting Designer, Directors....... rehearsals are getting close!

Spring has come to LFO

2010-04-13T09:04:00.000-07:00

Spring has arrived at Longborough at last!

Education Workshop at Longborough

2010-04-11T16:15:00.000-07:00

We've just had a three day workshop at Longborough - a group of teenagers worked with Maria Jagusz and Richard Studer, at the end of which they presented a half hour performance mixing John Gay's Beggars Opera with Brecht/Weill's The Threepenny Opera. The standard of performance was amazing, and the sun shone!

Busy Box Office

2010-03-21T16:22:00.000-07:00

As anyone who's tried to ring us recently will know, the box office has been very busy. Our Young Artists Concert is now cast, and the programme for it added to the website. And not long now until our Easter Workshops for 11-18 year olds. Its all hotting up!

New Year

2010-01-01T04:14:00.000-08:00

Greetings to the Cotswolds from my english Valhalla nestling in the hills.

Today I ride to hounds nearby to meet the local worthies. Loge, my right hand man (a feckless character) finally brought my steed (Grane) late last night.

Big and beautiful Grane is well connected with the Gods and will astound the Heythrop when the see us this morning.

The dawn here was as good as anything in Valhalla; I spent a long time yesterday polishing my favourite spear in readiness for the hunt. Loge has warned me against spearing the fox..I should merely ride behind the Master. Loge is also concerned that my dress is "inappropriate".

I told him I've worn tunic and helmet for centuries with little resentment or hostility..we shall see.

To be continued.

Loris

Wotan's greetings

2009-12-25T09:27:00.000-08:00

Wotan's greetings... Christmas Eve 2009

Dec 24th is a great day for the Heythrop Hunt who by long tradition meet near the Fosseway...an ancient Roman Road running North South through the Cotswolds.

Our farm lies nearby and this morning I walked across to see how the winter wheat was doing and to ensure all was well for our horsey guests.

I cut across the Swillies Ground and along the side of Furze Wood. Whilst descending the bank alongside I was startled to see a clump of spears about twenty yards away.

Mystified I stopped, which was just as well for another spear flew out of the wood followed by a deep and gutteral oath.

I soon established the source of both. A huge giant man emerged from the trees. Clad in a mail tunic and wearing a helmet with twin horns he greeted me with a roar.

Somewhat startled I replied with a cheery "good day sir..great weather for the meet don't you think?"

Ignoring this he replied "I am Wotan...have you seen Loge?"

"no Sir" I continued cautiously "do you live here"

"this forest is my temporary Valhalla" he leant backwards to hurl another spear across the valley...a great spot for practice...I nearly caught a dog just now"

"I don't think the Hunt would care for that"

"Who cares for hunting I seek Loge"

"I'm afraid I can't help you".

I thought who on earth is this devil in my wood hurling spears a hundred feet into my nice young plantation.

Anticipating my silent question Wotan utttered " I am king of the Gods from Valhalla and I am looking for Loge to help me..and I also need a Woman"

"Well you won't find one here" I said (thinking and certainly not your size).

"I've got a gig up here in the Spring...at a place called Longborough..is it anywhere near here? I thought I'd call round and meet the conductor and orchestra, check out the pit; you know the form"

Just then thinking I must be mad about 30 huntsmen cantered by..equally bemused and startled by the curious sight of me and Wotan chatting on the bank.

To be continued.

Loris

Postcard from Hong Kong

2009-12-08T07:57:00.000-08:00

the office are pleased to have received a postcard from Richard Studer - director and designer of Madama Butterfly in 2010. Richard is combining a holiday with research in the Far East. Meanwhile we're filling envelopes with the 2010 brochure for mailing in the New Year.

Welcome

2009-11-23T04:38:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Longborough Festival Opera's new blogspot. Keep watching this spot for news about Longborough.