Last Thursday Martin (Graham) spoke at a luncheon at the Cotswold House Hotel in Chipping Campden, talking about Longborough Opera, both its past and plans for the future. An audience of about 30 sat down to a great lunch, and at the end of Martin's entertaining talk, asked some interesting questions. It was a beautiful spring morning to be out and about in the Cotswolds.

Staff at the Cotswold House Hotel felt there were a number of newcomers to the luncheons, attracted by the talk. Me, I really enjoyed the talk, and the crême brulée was wonderful!

here's a picture of Jim Keeling with Wagner.

Celebrating Ring

So, to celebrate this new Ring Cycle, we've having three new statues of Wagner, Verdi and Mozart. They are being made by Jim Keeling of the famous Whichford Pottery and are made of clay. Wagner is in the kiln right now, and the other two are being dried off. Each of them is 7 foot 6 inches and weighs around about 450 kg.

Longborough Festival Opera

Who are we? Longborough Festival Opera is a company presenting opera in an opera house in the gardens of a Cotswold family home. Each summer we present a season of opera. With its intimate scale and unique atmosphere, Longborough is a wonderful summer evening out. As well as quality music, there are long supper intervals in which to enjoy the restaurant or to picnic in the grounds with their glorious views over the Evenlode Valley.

In 2007 we are presenting Das Rheingold, Cosi fan tutte, Eugene Onegin and Les Miserables School Edition. Das Rheingold is the first of a full ring cycle. We believe it to be the first full Ring Cycle to be produced in a private opera house which receives no public subsidy.