Garsington Opera has agreed deals with two orchestras. From 2020 Philharmonia Orchestra and The English Concert will take part in the annual summer festival.
“I am delighted that, as we enter the next 30 years of our festival, we will have two of the best orchestras of the world playing in our opera house at Wormsley,” said Garsington Opera artistic director Douglas Boyd. “We offer a warm welcome to all our colleagues at The English Concert as they join the Philharmonia as part of the Garsington family and we look forward to making music together at the very highest standard.”
Philharmonia started its Garsington partnership in 2017, but has now signed on to two perform two or three productions annually from 2020 to 2025. In 2019 the orchestra will perform Bedřich Smetana’s The Bartered Bride, directed by Paul Curran.
Michael Fuller, Philharmonia Orchestra chair, noted: “In its early days, as a recording orchestra, the Philharmonia produced outstanding opera recordings with legendary artists. In extending our relationship with Garsington, the Philharmonia Orchestra is reclaiming an essential dimension of its unique legacy.”
The English Concert will give a concert of Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 at Garsington next year before its full deal begins in 2020.
Harry Bicket, artistic director of The English Concert, said: “The energy and commitment shown by Garsington in their mission to strive for excellence exactly mirrors the ethos of The English Concert and we look forward to developing a strong artistic partnership with them over the coming years.”
