Glyndebourne Youth Opera

Glyndebourne Youth Opera offers young people from 8 – 19 a yearly programme of workshops and performance opportunities. Participants experience all elements of opera including singing, acting, designing, writing and devising.

Youth Opera 1

Glyndebourne Youth Opera 1 is for young people from the age of eight. It is the foundation group where participants are introduced to opera and have a chance to try new things.

Glyndebourne Youth Opera 1 meet for four Sundays per term in the Autumn and Spring. For young peopled aged between 8-11 it is the foundation group and introduces young people to opera and explores the process of performance making. All participants are expected and encouraged to try new things, and all sessions will include:

Singing: learning and performing songs as a disciplined chorus.
Performing: working through games and exercises to devise new material.
Making: using materials to explore the visual dimension of opera.
Sharing: giving feedback to others (and receiving it!) about what has been created together.

The Directors of Glyndebourne Youth Opera 1:

Glyndebourne Youth Opera 1 is led by Director Natalie Roberts and Music Director Russell Hepplewhite.

Youth Opera 2

Glyndebourne Youth Opera 2 is the next step for young people from 11 years. The participants begin to learn what it means to be in an opera company.

Glyndebourne Youth Opera 2 meets 4-5 sessions per term in the Autumn and Spring terms. It is an opportunity for young people to work together as an opera company, gain confidence and succeed. The ethos of the group is to take great pride in presenting fresh new ideas and communication in a vibrant and convincing manner. The group’s work will culminate in a performance of a piece devised entirely by the young people often taking a Glyndebourne Festival production as a starting point. Participants take part in a series of workshops to explore music, drama, movement, vocal skills, composition and performance.

Glyndebourne Youth Opera 2 is led by Director Freya Wynn-Jones and Music Director Matt Greenwood.

Youth Opera 3

Glyndebourne Youth Opera 3 is aimed at young people from the age of approximately 14 - 19 years. The participants devise work and present performances whilst developing as an opera company.

Glyndebourne Youth Opera 3 currently meets 8 - 10 times per term in the Autumn and Spring terms and occasionally during school holidays. It aims to devise its own work as a company from initial ideas through to a finished performance. The participants explore a range of story-telling techniques through a broad variety of musical genres, at the same time developing skills in devising, performing and critical analysis using a number of creative start points.

Glyndebourne Youth Opera 3 is open to anyone with the emphasis on enthusiasm and commitment. All the members of Glyndebourne Youth Opera 3 are welcome to audition for Youth Opera productions that take place during the summer months. This is one of the many aspects of group 3 that aims to move towards a professional company experience.

Glyndebourne Youth Opera 3 is led by Singers Rebecca Askew and Melanie Pappenheim, and Director Emma Bernard.