Imago

About the project

Find out more about our 2013 youth opera project, composed by Orlando Gough.

Following the success of Knight Crew in 2010, we commissioned Orlando Gough (composer), Stephen Plaice (librettist), Susannah Waters (director), Es Devlin and Bronia Housman (designers) to devise and create Imago , a new opera for the digital age.

Imago premiered at Glyndebourne in early March 2013 with a cast including professional singers and performers drawn from the local community. The Aurora Orchestra were joined by young instrumentalists who were conducted by Nicholas Collon.

Orlando’s previous community opera, On the Rim of the World, received its world premiere at Glyndebourne in 2009, whilst Stephen Plaice wrote the libretto for a number of previous Glyndebourne projects, including MisperZoë and School 4 Lovers.

Imago won the Royal Philharmonic Society award for Learning and Participation at the RPS awards dinner on 13 May 2014.


Cast list

Elizabeth – Jean Rigby
Andy – Daniel Norman
Lisette – Joanna Songi
The Moderator – Zac West
Annie – Freya Wynn-Jones
Gulliver – Adam Gilbert
Zak – Mark Enticknap
Rory – Raefn Webber/Flint Pascoe-Easterby
Rufus – James Brock
Stella – Thomasin Trezise
Nurse – Jenny McCalmont
Croupier – Michelle Restieux
The Admirer – Adam Drew
Hip Vicar – George Ikediashi
Doctor – Steve Hawksley

Creative team

Composer – Orlando Gough
Librettist – Stephen Plaice
Director – Susannah Waters
Movement Director – Christopher Tudor
Chorus Master – Lee Reynolds
Assistant Director – Fiona Dunn
Assistant Conductor – Christopher Stark

You might also like

Plan your visit this autumn with our guide to what's on, and…
Sam Garner-Gibbons appointed as Technical and Production Dir…
We take a look at Beethoven's Fourth Symphony and Tippett's …
Find out what's coming up next year
Brighten the stage with world-class opera and artists
Glyndebourne Shop
Our online shop offers a great selection of exclusive and locally sourced products. Every purchase supports our work.
Become a Member
Enjoy priority booking for the Festival. Find out how you can join as an Associate Member
Support us
Glyndebourne is a charity and the Festival receives no public subsidy. We rely on generous supporters who are passionate about opera.