

2017 REVIEW
Photo Credits: Clive Barda, Johan Persson, Mark Douet, 
 Alice Pennefather, John Snelling, Johnny Langridge
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
SEMELE
L E N O Z Z E D I F I G A RO
Annilese Miskimmon & Jonathan Cohen
John Cox & Douglas Boyd
PELLÉAS ET MÉLISANDE
I L T U R C O I N I TA L I A
Michael Boyd & Jac van Steen
Martin Duncan & David Parry
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 2017 we presented the following programme:
• SEMELE in a stylish new production by Annilese Miskimmon with acclaimed cast conducted by Jonathan Cohen.
• LE NOZZE DI FIGARO was recreated for the Wormsley stage by John Cox, featuring notable debuts from a spectacular cast.
• PELLÉAS ET MÉLISANDE captivated audiences in Michael Boyd & Tom Piper’s stunning production with the Philharmonia.
• IL TURCO IN ITALIA was an effervescent success in Martin Duncan’s revival of this much-loved production.
[Semele] is a first-rate musical performance & a production that’s hard to fault The Spectator However many [Figaros] you may have seen, this one should not be missed Sunday Express [Pelléas] a striking achievement The Guardian [Turco] has new snap and sexiness ★★★★ The Times
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.
S I LV E R B I R C H “One of the very best examples of this type of opera” - Music OMH 2017 marked a significant milestone in the development of the Learning & Participation with the delivery of Silver Birch, a People’s Opera featuring over 180 people of all ages from the local community, performing alongside professional singers and instrumentalists in this 70-minute new commission by Roxanna Panufnik and Jessica Duchen. It is a celebration of music, drama and poetry for all the family; a beautiful original story about courage and aspiration, centring on themes and issues of relationships and family ties which are tested when two boys go off to fight in a present-day war, while drawing upon Siegfried Sassoon’s poetry for echoes of the past. Sassoon was a regular visitor to Garsington Manor in Oxfordshire during World War One. The 180 local participants included child soloists, primary age children from seven local schools, a youth company of singers and dancers (age 10-20), an adult company, student instrumentalists, a team of Foley artists (acoustic sound effects) under the guidance of Pinewood Studios, and representatives from the armed forces community, all working alongside a dynamic creative team. In July 2017 the full company performed the new commission for three sell-out performances at Wormsley, to wide acclaim. The project was a major undertaking for Garsington Opera and has already had a huge impact on those involved. A full external evaluation was conducted throughout the process and has shown significant positive change in local school children and adults. BBC Arts produced three documentary films around the project.
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 2017 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 – Audition Q&A, personalised feedback sessions with Laura Canning (Director of Artistic Administration)
• ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT – Cover Showcase, Green Theatre Recitals, Aria Filming, Sessions with Ann Murray, Coaching with Susanna Stranders (Head of Music)
• PROFESSIONAL TRAINING – Business & Tax training seminars • ONGOING SUPPORT – Two financial awards presented for Outstanding Young Talent “Gorgeous site, lovely staff, excellent facilities and shows that I have felt genuinely proud to be a part of. Such a gorgeous chorus this year, so many incredibly warm, giving, humble people - and all so very talented I felt proud to share the stage with them.” “Wormsley is a beautiful estate and the theatre is wonderful to work in with exciting challenges to face. I enjoyed working with fellow performers on stage and getting to know them better in the beautiful green room and dressing rooms.” “I have greatly enjoyed my time. I was able to be involved in a variety of shows, gained lots of experience, and met lots of lovely people.”
R E S TAU R A N T & PICNICS Michelin Star Chef Michael North continued to work with us and the team at Feasts to deliver an exquisite menu of fine dining and picnics.
939 Afternoon Teas & 2,674 Catered Picnics were enjoyed.
Over 7,500 meals were served in the Long Room Restaurant.
3,647 bottles of wine were enjoyed.
FINANCIAL REVIEW 2017 Expenditure (£’000)
2017 Income (£’000) £39 £301
£196 £582
£493
£187
£487 £2,852
£1,860
Box Office Fundraising Learning & Participation Donations Restaurant, Shop & Other Sales Corporate Sponsorship Other
£4,371
Opera Production Overheads Learning & Participation Commerical Activities
2017 Final (£’000)
2016 Final (£’000)
YoY
Box Office
2,852
2,624
9%
Fundraising/Members
1,860
1,447
29%
Learning & Participation Donations
487
305
60%
Corporate Sponsorship
301
290
4%
Restaurant, Shop & Other Sales
493
400
23%
39
54
-28%
6,032
5,120
18%
4,371
3,864
13%
Learning & Participation
582
311
87%
Commercial Activities
196
142
38%
Overheads
187
169
11%
5,336
4,486
19%
Surplus (see Reserves Policy)
697
364
Capital Expenditure
434
129
INCOME SOURCE
Other Total Income
EXPENDITURE Opera Production
Total Expenditure
AU D I E N C E FEEDBACK
Garsington at Wormsley is a paradise, the highlight of our London Summer. Well done everybody involved, it must require great effort to make everything so perfect.
We had a great time- it is truly a wonderful, magical place. My husband and I thought that the garden concert was a really good initiative. We loved seeing that eccentric open air theatre in use and it was a lovely opportunity for two wonderful young singers.
The singing was spectacular and the sets were first rate. We are already salivating at the thought of next year’s offerings.
I just wanted to thank you all for making Garsington visits so very special, from assistance from the car park, to re-arranging my tickets when I left them at home, to the wonderful helpers all along the way.
Last night, we were late arrivals due to traffic conditions, fully expecting to miss the first act, and we were surprised that buggies were waiting for us and whisked us in. This is service beyond the call of duty!
Garsington continues to be a beautiful place that works smoothly. I am always amazed at the freedom that guests have and the absence of intrusive officials.
AU D I E N C E R E AC H In 2017 Garsington Opera has made significant strides in broadening its reach, encouraging new audiences to attend Festival performances at Wormsley, providing subsidy for young audiences, delivering a groundbreaking Learning & Participation programme across the UK, as well as exploring innovative digital media online. We have forged an important new partnership with the Philharmonia Orchestra and, within our Learning & Participation programme, we have reached even further into communities and groups that would not otherwise have access to high quality live music. Our work with the BBC continues to grow, this year collaborating with BBC Radio 3 to broadcast a performance of Semele from Wormsley. In addition, our work with BBC Arts continues, sharing both Semele & Le nozze di Figaro in full online, as well as capturing the process of Silver Birch through documentaries and an immersive 360-degree film: PERSON 181. This marks a major step in the development of our digital strategy, which will continue to form a major part of sharing what we do at Wormsley with the wider world for free. IN PERSON Performances
2017 22,836
ONLINE Website Sessions
2017 139,252
Learning & Participation
2,349
Social Media Following
Opera for All
6,722
Content Plays
182,780
TOTAL
334,569
TOTAL
31,907
12,537
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 significant scale, offering a unique programme of cultural engagement for those people who need it most. In addition, it has fostered the establishment of a national network of Local Councils (Coastal Cultural Network) that recognise the value of creative projects in their area and discuss the delivery of future activity. This year, our Opera for All programme has seen a fantastic summer of open air activity, with the weather being consistently kind to us. Outdoor screenings and workshops have focused on the Garsington Opera production of Semele and have been followed by an intensive autumn season of schools’ residencies, showcases, community workshops and concerts, all delivered free of charge. Since 1 July 2017, Garsington Opera for All has worked with close to 7,000 people across the UK, with residencies in Skegness, Ramsgate, Bridgwater, Grimsby, Margate & Broadstairs. 2017 was the final year of this pilot project, supported by the Strategic Touring Fund (Arts Council England). Now, as we enter 2018, we have time to evaluate the successes of the project and how we might take key elements forward in the future in order to continue providing access to opera.
Registered Charity No. 1003042