Opera Glasses and Picnics: The Wonder of Garsington Opera
Garsington Opera gives performances of great artistic quality in a setting of extraordinary natural beauty. Performances take place in the spectacular Opera Pavilion, which sits within the rolling landscape of the Chiltern Hills.
Garsington Opera was founded in 1989 by the late Leonard Ingrams and his wife Rosalind at Garsington Manor, near Oxford. Following Leonard’s untimely death, Garsington Opera moved to the Wormsley Estate, home of the Getty family, in 2011.
The festival presents a programme of four operas each year during a seven-week summer period and often champions less-known works which have included a number of notable British premieres to include Haydn’s Orlando Paladino, Vivaldi’s L’Olimpiade, and Rossini’s Armida, L’equivoco stravagante and Maometto secondo. Productions have also been taken to a number of European festivals and the company’s 2007 production of Richard Strauss’s Die ägyptische Helena was presented at the Metropolitan Opera, New York.
The dates for Garsington Opera 2021 are to be announced.
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EXPERIENCE OVERVIEW
🛣️Car journey time from London:
1 hr 10 min - 40 miles / 64 km
🛏️Recommended accommodation:
💐Other English Season experiences:
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PERFORMANCE LIST
Der Rosenkavalier - R. Strauss
Conductor: Jordan de Souza
Director: Bruno Ravella
Philharmonia Orchestra
Eugene Onegin - P. Tchaikovsky (revival)
Conductor: Douglas Boyd
Director: Michael Boyd
Philharmonia Orchestra
Le Comte Ory - G. Rossini
Conductor: Valentina Peleggi
Director: Cal McCrystal
Philharmonia Orchestra
Amadigi - G. Handel
Conductor: Christian Curnyn
Director: Netia Jones
The English Concert
Booking and performance dates will be released in due course.
YOUR VISIT TO GARSINGTON OPERA
The stunning Wormsley Estate plays host to an afternoon and evening of garden strolls, fine food and a spectacular operatic performance. It is worth allowing some time to explore the Wormsley Estate. Those arriving in the afternoon can take tea overlooking the famous Wormsley Cricket Ground, visit the impressive 18th century Walled Garden, admire the stunning views across the deer park and lake from the Champagne Bar, or take a stroll around the Opera Garden. In the early evening, audience members are invited to take their seats for the performance.
Performances have a long interval lasting approximately 85 minutes. This allows plenty of time to enjoy a three course meal in the restaurant, or to picnic in the gardens, all of which we will create for you. Complimentary Scout porters and chauffeured golf buggies are available to assist with carrying picnics.
The Garsington Opera are continuing their partnership with Michelin-starred chef, Michael North. Michael has spent his whole career in and around Oxford, undertaking enviable positions with Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, with Marco Pierre White at Mirabelle, and with Michael Caines at Gidleigh Park.
Pre-performance talks in the Opera Pavilion or Walled Garden recitals are available for you to attend.
EXPERIENCE GARSINGTON OPERA
Guests are welcome to arrive from 3:30pm when the estate opens. During the afternoon you are invited to view the famous Wormsley Cricket Ground, visit the impressive 18th century Walled Garden, admire the stunning views across the deer park and lake from the Champagne Bar, or take a stroll around the Opera Garden. In the early evening from approximately 5:30pm, audience members are invited to take their seats for the performance.
Your Experience includes:
- Chauffeured car to and from Wormsley Estate
- Champagne in the Walled Garden
- The option of luxurious al fresco picnicking or enjoy a three-course dinner designed by Michelin Star chef, Michael North, in the beautifully dressed Long Room Restaurant
- A stunning evening of opera in the pavilion - seats within the Front Stalls (other seats are available)
Tickets from £610.00 per person, excluding VAT. Premium tickets are available and include a visit to the Getty Library on a timed basis.
FEASTS AT GARSINGTON OPERA
INTERVAL DINING
A delicious three-course dinner served in the beautifully dressed Long Room Restaurant overlooking the Wormsley Cricket Ground
Starters
Charred asparagus with rapeseed hollandaise & smoked almonds (v)
English new potato and pea pressé, salsa verde & radish salad (v)
Gin-cured salmon with black treacle & buttermilk crumb
Iberico ham, celeriac remoulade & parmesan
Smoked eel, beetroot salad, apple puré
Main Course
Free-range roasted chicken, asparagus, wild garlic & chestnut mushrooms
Fillet of beef, creamed spinach, pressed boulangère potatoes, red wine jus (£9 supplement)
Pan-fried hake with mussel velouté, new seaon potatoes & wilted spinach (£4 supplement)
Pork belly, celeriac purée, sautéed potatoes, apple, pork jus
Sea-bream, herb mayonnaise, saffron summer vegetables
Winterdale Shaw Cheddar, celeriac & leek tart with summer vegetables (v)
GOURMET PICNIC
Treat yourself to a Gourmet Picnic served from a wicker hamper overlooking the Cricket Ground or Deer Park.
A generous four course picnic with mineral water, coffee & truffles.
Starter
Wild rabbit sausage roll with redcurrant jam Potted crab with brown shrimp butter
Main Course
We offer a choice between: Rare roasted beef fillet with beer pickled onions and horseradish mustard;
Or, Severn & Wye hot smoked salmon, chilli & lime prawns with charred corn salsa Served with
Avocado salad with heirloom tomatoes, pulses, toasted sunflower seeds (v)
Rocket, radicchio & green bean salad with toasted pine nuts & lemon oil (v)
New season potatoes with almond & parsley dressing (v)
Breads & sea salt crackers (v)
Dessert
Mango & passion fruit mousse
Local cheese board Coffee & truffles