The Garsington Opera has announced cast changes for its upcoming production of “Fidelio.”

The company said, “Gérard Korsten is now unable to conduct our 2025 ‘Fidelio.'” As a result, “We are pleased to announce that our Artistic Director Douglas Boyd will now conduct this revival of John Cox’s classic production.”

Additionally, the company said, “We are also delighted to announce that the role of Leonore will now be sung by British soprano, Sally Matthews, who will be making her Garsington Opera debut, taking the place of Jane Archibald who has had to withdraw.”

In a statement Boyd said, “John Cox’s original production of ‘Fidelio’ has a very special place in my heart, having conducted it both at Garsington Manor in 2009 and at Wormsley in 2014. Beethoven has been a huge part of my life, not only as a conductor, but also in my previous life as an oboist, inspired by both Nikolaus Harnoncourt and Claudio Abbado with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. I am so delighted to perform Fidelio again with this wonderful cast and with The English Concert, who I know will bring this miracle to life with their amazing musicianship and sound world, and I very much look forward to welcoming Sally Matthews for her Garsington Opera debut in the role of Leonore.”

“Fidelio” is set to run between June 27 and July 22, 2025 and will also star Robert Murray, Musa Ngqungwana, Jonathan Lemalu, Isabelle Peters, Oliver Johnston, and Richard Burkhard.

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