

2016 REVIEW
OUR AIMS
ENRICH
the lives of audiences and participants
PRODUCE theatrically compelling productions with the highest artistic standards
EXPAND
appreciation of opera through participation
DISCOVER
and nurture the best young performing talent
PROVIDE
members and audiences a memorable experience at Wormsley
E S TA B L I S H financial stability to support future productions
EUGENE ONEGIN
L’ I T A L I A N A
Michael Boyd, Tom Piper & Douglas Boyd
Will Tuckett, George Souglides & David Parry
IDOMENEO
T H E C R E AT I O N
Tim Albery, Hannah Clark & Tobias Ringborg
Rambert & Garsington Opera
A RT I S T I C REVIEW We aim to produce theatrically compelling operas with the highest artistic standards in a setting of extraordinary beauty. In 2016 we presented a balanced and contrasting programme:
• EUGENE ONEGIN in a critically acclaimed new production by Michael Boyd & Tom Piper.
• L’ITALIANA IN ALGERI sparkled under Will Tuckett’s direction, continuing a series of Rossini opera conducted by David Parry.
• IDOMENEO featured notable Festival debuts and Tim Albery’s production gave a dramatic telling to Mozart’s sublime score.
• THE CREATION united Garsington Opera and Rambert for a spectacular rendition of Haydn’s masterpiece, illuminated by dance.
[Onegin] rightly receives a stupendous ovation. ★★★★★ Mail on Sunday Rossini veteran David Parry conducted [L’italiana] with flair, zip and lightness of touch What’s On Stage A magnificent realisation of [Idomeneo], one of the greatest of serious operas. The Sunday Times [The Creation is] handsomely danced by a huge cast. Douglas Boyd conducts a rich orchestral performance. ★★★★ The Independent
LEARNING & PA RT I C I PAT I O N Garsington Opera’s year-round Learning & Participation programme provides opportunities, both in the communities surrounding Wormsley and throughout the UK, to learn about opera through participation. Over the last year we have worked with 3,836 people, providing a wide range of performing activities, innovative workshops and sharing sessions. Particular highlights from the year’s activity include:
WYCOMBE WOMEN’S AID We ran supportive and confidence-building workshops for women in abusive relationships, using music as a tool for communication. The sessions were based on the themes from EUGENE ONEGIN. Two participants then joined our Adult Community Chorus and will now take part in SILVER BIRCH at Wormsley in July 2017.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS 200 Primary School children took part in 8 workshops focusing on THE CREATION. 140 of these children then came to watch the final rehearsal of THE CREATION in the auditorium at Wormsley.
OPERAFIRST Garsington Opera ran workshops in 8 Secondary Schools focusing on EUGENE ONEGIN. 300 participants from these workshops then came to see our fully staged OperaFirst performance of the opera, performed by our Young Artists.
A LVA R E Z YO U N G A RT I S T P RO G R A M M E The nurture and encouragement of young singers is proudly championed by Garsington Opera through the Alvarez Young Artist Programme. Each season we work closely with Conservatoires in the UK and further afield to select and showcase the finest young performing talent. In 2016 there were 46 young singers on the Alvarez Young Artist Programme, as members of the chorus and understudies in the Festival. The following activities were on offer this year:
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT – Learning & Participation Afternoon, Tax & VAT Seminar and CV Advice
• ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT – audition training, language coaching, public masterclasses, showcase performances, video recording, individual feedback and introductions to agents and casting representatives at other opera houses
• PROFESSIONAL HEALTH – ENT Consultant & Vocal Health study day “Garsington Opera are a sheer delight to work for. Management and the opportunities offered are way above the other summer festivals.” “Best experience with a professional opera company.” “I've had a lovely experience at Wormsley! I found that the Garsington experience is altogether a warm and caring one, where all staff really take time to get to know the young artists. I felt valued and knew that there were lots of people I could go to if I ever had a problem or issue. I feel lucky to have worked for Garsington this year.”
R E S TAU R A N T & PICNICS Michelin Star Chef Michael North joined us and the team at Feasts to deliver an exquisite menu of fine dining and picnics.
913 Afternoon Teas & 2,124 Catered Picnics were enjoyed during the season.
1,256 portions of sea bass and 10,134 chocolates were served in the Long Room Restaurant, with over 7,590 meals served in total.
557 bottles of Champagne were consumed.
FINANCIAL REVIEW 2016 Expenditure (£’000)
2016 Income (£’000)
£121 £327 £113
£503 £56 £345 £252 £2,622
£1,312 £3,067
£1,720
Box Office Fundraising Sponsorship Front of House Commercial Income Other
Production Costs Overheads Commercial Activities Depreciation Learning & Participation
2016 Final (£’000)
2015 Final (£’000)
YoY
Box Office
2,622
2,227
18%
Fundraising/Members
1,720
1,401
23%
Corporate Sponsorship
252
262
-4%
Front of House/Concessions
345
268
29%
Commercial Income
56
165
-66%
Investment Income
40
5
700%
463
390
19%
5,498
4,718
17%
3,067
2,789
10%
Learning & Participation
121
86
41%
Commercial Activities
113
140
-19%
1,312
1,068
23%
327
319
3%
4,940
4,402
12%
586
309
90%
4,837
4,251
14%
INCOME
Other Total Income
EXPENDITURE Opera Production
Overheads Depreciation Total Expenditure
Movement in Funds TOTAL FUNDS
AU D I E N C E FEEDBACK
2016 has to represent the most outstanding we have ever experienced in our association with Garsington. The production, casting, settings were of the highest order. The quality of the singing, the chorus, and the orchestra was wonderful. The Onegin and Idomeneo were deserving of the acclaim afforded them. Onegin in particular was spellbinding. Well done to all of you for making the season so memorable.
An excellent vigorous, imaginative, talented, amusing, highly enjoyable season. Faultless in our view across four performances, all with their differing strengths. Great team spirit evident. The level of performance skills keeps increasing.
It was superb! In every way. Seriously, I cannot fault it. I have not been to Garsington for a few years, and I was blown away. You have managed to create the most exquisite experience; the peak of excellence that the UK can provide. Well done. Congratulations are due to the entire Garsington team. I plan to return regularly!
We go for the opera experience. But what stands out in my mind, is the staff, ever friendly and thoughtful.
Catering is excellent and the event is so thoughtfully managed. The quality of productions continues to improve. But it is the thoughtful assistance, decor, staff and teams which make Garsington the UK's premier opera festival. Thank you to all, particularly the temporary staff who make it so charming.
AU D I E N C E R E AC H In 2016 Garsington Opera continued to widen its reach, encouraging new opera audiences at Wormsley, through Learning & Participation and online. We have continued to widen access to our work by forging partnerships with different organisations on our stage. This year we were delighted to welcome Rambert contemporary dance company, as well as many of their audience members and supporters. We also embarked on partnerships with the BBC and The Opera Platform, sharing our performances for free online to an international audience. Garsington Opera’s digital reach has been expanded further through a growing social media following, development of an online booking system and engaging web-content which is available to all.
2016 Performances
 
Learning & Participation
21,876 3,836
2016 Website Sessions
121,362
Social Media Following
10,947 25,750
Opera for All
12,600
Content Plays
TOTAL
38,312
TOTAL
158,059
OPERA FOR ALL Garsington Opera for All is a groundbreaking national programme, offering free access to opera, creative education workshops and public screenings, provided by Garsington Opera in culturally isolated areas of the UK. With major support from Arts Council England, and in partnership with East Lindsey District Council, Garsington Opera has been able to carry out education and community work on a national scale, offering a unique programme of cultural engagement for those people who need it most. In 2016, amidst high summer sun and balmy evenings, as well as torrential downpours and MET Office weather warnings, our Opera for All programme saw a wonderful and eventful summer of open air activity in Skegness, Ramsgate, Burnham-on-Sea, Grimsby, Bridgewater, Margate & Broadstairs. Screenings and education workshops focused on EUGENE ONEGIN and the recorded film was also shared online via BBC Arts and The Opera Platform to a large international audience. The central aim of the project is to provide a tailored introduction to opera for those with no access to high-quality arts provision. Through working with communities in the days preceding a public screening, we are able to demystify the genre and enable members of the public to engage fully with their first experience of opera. The programme worked with 21 schools across the country, with over 3,600 children and adults being engaged directly this year. With the inclusion of online platforms, we have reached 12,600 people this year as part of the Opera for All project.
Registered Charity No. 1003042