Conductor: Christopher Moulds Director: Sinéad O’Neill Academy of Ancient Music
2017 revival
Conductor: Anthony Negus Director: Carmen Jakobi
Conductor: Nil Venditti Director: Karolina Sofulak
Conductor: Karen Kamensek Director: Lucy Bailey
Surtitles are displayed at every performance.
Enjoy priority booking and support Longborough Festival Opera The generous support of our members underpins all of our artistic programming and education work.
Become part of our extended family, take advantage of priority booking, and share your love of Longborough with likeminded people. Join today from £85 at: lfo.org.uk/membership
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New production
Sung in Italian with English surtitles
Conductor Christopher Moulds
Director Sinéad O’Neill with the Academy of Ancient Music
Chivalric misadventure and the madness of unrequited love – Orlando follows intertwining, intense relationships across the themes of love, war, and insanity.
Directed by Sinéad O’Neill and conducted from the harpsichord by experienced Baroque specialist
Christopher Moulds, this new production features period-instrument orchestra Academy of Ancient Music
Performances:
30 May, 2, 4, 6, 7 June 2026
4pm–9pm (including 30-minute interval and 90-minute dining interval)
New production
Sung in Italian with English surtitles
Conductor Nil Venditti
Director Karolina Sofulak
The first Shakespeare play the composer adapted, Verdi calling the tragedy “one of the greatest creations of man”. Our first production of this masterpiece is directed by award-winning director Karolina Sofulak and conducted by rising star Nil Venditti, who made her BBC Proms debut in 2024 and is currently Principal Guest Conductor of the Royal Northern Sinfonia.
2017 revival
Sung in German with English surtitles
Conductor Anthony Negus
Director Carmen Jakobi
A revival of our acclaimed production of Wagner’s groundbreaking work, directed by Carmen Jakobi with the Longborough Festival Orchestra conducted by Longborough’s veteran Wagnerian, Anthony Negus.
★★★★ The Times
★★★★★ The Observer
Performances:
20 June, 2, 5, 9, 12, 18 July 2026
3pm-9pm (including 30-minute interval and 90-minute dining interval)
New production
Sung in English with English surtitles
Conductor Karen Kamensek
Director Lucy Bailey
Humperdinck’s enduring reworking of the Grimms’ powerful fairy tale, questioning the relationship between society and the children who are part of it.
Conducted by Karen Kamensek and directed by Lucy Bailey, the production will feature international artists, combined with the acclaimed Longborough Youth Chorus and sung in English with Sir David Pountney’s intelligent and witty translation.
Performances:
1, 4, 7, 11, 14, 16 July 2026
5pm-9pm (including 90-minute dining interval)
Performances:
30 July, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 August 2026
5pm-8.30pm (including 90-minute dining interval)
Longborough Festival Opera is an ambitious summer festival, taking place in a 500-seat home-grown theatre overlooking stunning views of the Evenlode valley. Rooted in the Cotswolds, the festival inspires a growing international reputation and a vibrant year-round programme of community work.
Each performance at Longborough includes a 90-minute dining interval, allowing you time to relax and enjoy the picturesque grounds.
Bring a picnic and find a spot with a view of the beautiful Cotswold landscape, or make your visit complete by trying one of our delicious dining options at lfo.org.uk/dining
REMARKABLE PERFORMANCES AND STORYTELLING
★★★★ The Guardian
lfo.org.uk
+44 (0)1451 830292
(lines open Monday to Thursday, 10am–4pm)
Public booking opens 2 March 2026. Members can book ahead, visit lfo.org.uk/membership
For terms & conditions visit lfo.org.uk
Philanthropy is vital to our ambitious festival and our year-round programme of education work.
Remember unforgettable nights at the opera. Please remember Longborough Festival Opera.
Registered Charity No. 1087303
The Longborough Wagner Club is an exclusive group of philanthropists, committed to supporting the ambitious and long-standing tradition of presenting the works of, and inspired by, Richard Wagner at Longborough.
Being in the Wagner Club will give you access behind the scenes of our Wagnerian work, including rehearsals and events with directors and conductors.
Find out more lfo.org.uk/wagner-club
The Longborough Youth Chorus in Dido and Aeneas (2025).
Find out how to support our education work at LFO.org.uk/education
Information correct at the time of going to press. Unforeseen circumstances may result in changes to the programme.
boxoffice@lfo.org.uk
Longborough Festival Opera, New Banks Fee, Longborough, Moreton-in-Marsh, GL56 0QF.
Registered Charity no. 1087303
All photos: Matthew Williams-Ellis unless indicated.
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