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 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 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.
Interval Dining
Enjoy a delicious three-course dinner served in the beautifully dressed Long Room Restaurant overlooking the Wormsley Cricket Ground or choose for a more relaxed approach with a gourmet picnic and a glass or 2 of champagne.
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 can include:
The dates for Garsington Opera 2025 are from Wednesday 28th May to Tuesday 22nd July
1 hr 10 min - 40 miles / 64 km