Written by: Colin Anderson
Posted in August 2010, there follows a series of links to bring to aural and visual life another varied and successful season at Glyndebourne Festival Opera, which is set in the idyllic surroundings of East Sussex and boasts a superb acoustic. Peter Reed’s review for The Classical Source of Billy Budd was a particularly pertinent critique of a great production, and this on-line music magazine continues to review Glyndebourne’s compact disc releases of past triumphs. At the time of writing, Dvořák’s Rusalka is the latest, Peter Grimes on the horizon, and follows an Idomeneo with Pavarotti and Janowitz.
Amongst the following links, for our readers to select at will and at their preference, is one to an interview with the now-late Sir Charles Mackerras who passed away this year on 14 July. His final appearances included conducting Mozart’s Così fan tutte at Glyndebourne.
Billy Budd – Behind the Scenes
featuring interviews with Director Michael Grandage, Designer Christopher Oram and Lighting Designer Paule Constable. Also includes exclusive rehearsal footage. (6:27)
Billy Budd – Video diary feature
following Chorus Member Duncan Rock through the rehearsal period. Includes exclusive rehearsal footage (5:08)
Billy Budd – Podcast
| Interview with Director Michael Grandage and Conductor Sir Mark Elder
Hansel und Gretel – Behind the Scenes
feature featuring interviews with principal cast of the 2008 Festival production (3:16)
Hansel und Gretel
Act I clip (3:28)
Hansel und Gretel
Synopsis with production stills (3:23)
Cosi fan tutte
Aria clip (‘Soave sia il vento) (2:52)
Cosi fan tutte – Podcast
| Interview with Conductor James Gaffigan (Approx 11:00)
Cosi fan tutte – Podcast
| Interview with Conductor Sir Charles Mackerras (Approx 9:00)
Macbeth – Podcast
| James Whitbourne interviews singer Stephen Gadd and Revival Director Geoffrey Dolton (Approx 12:00)
Macbeth – Podcast
.James Whitbourne interviews singer Stephen Gadd and Revival Director Geoffrey Dolton (Approx 12:00)
Macbeth – History of Macbeth at Glyndebourne
Video feature looking into the Glyndebourne archives at previous productions of Verdi’s opera. (Approx 6:00)
Don Giovanni – Podcast
| James Whitbourn speaks to Vladimir Jurowski about the 2010 Festival production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, directed by Jonathan Kent. (Approx 12 mins)
La Cenerentola
Clip (1:58)
The Coronation of Poppea
Clip (2:08)
A Short History of Glyndebourne – Video Feature
Includes interviews with former Artistic Director Sir Peter Hall, former Executive Chairman Sir George Christie, current Executive Chairman Gus Christie , Former Music Director Sir Andrew Davis as well as archive footage from over 75 years of Glyndebourne’s history (4:06)
Glyndebourne in Cinemas – Trailer
Glyndebourne Festival Opera will renew next year, Glyndebourne on Tour filling the gap, and for many seasons afterwards, but we all have our memories of past successes, which this year’s will become, and the following highlights will hopefully stimulate happy reminiscences and interest.