Glyndebourne Announces Launch of Freelancer Fund & 2022 Season Lineup

By Logan Martell

Glyndebourne has announced the launch of the Glyndebourne Freelancer Fund, meant to support freelancers in the performing arts industry and help them rebound from the economic damages caused by the pandemic.

While the details of the fund will be further developed this year, Glyndebourne has pledged its commitment to reserve an amount equivalent to 10 percent of its annual freelancer costs, which will go towards aiding their contracted freelancers.

“Over the past 15 months, we have all become much more aware of the imbalance between performing arts companies and the freelancers who make up 70 percent of the theatre workforce,” said Managing Director Sarah Hopwwod in a press release. “Glyndebourne will only survive and thrive if we can call on the skills and expertise of those people and we’re determined to play a part in helping to create a new, more equitable support structure for them. Whilst we can’t change the future for freelancers on our own, we can lead the way, so I am really delighted to announce the launch of the Glyndebourne Freelancer Fund.”

The company also announced the works that will be staged in 2022, including projects from six female composers, two of which are new operas, and a frequently overlooked work.

The 2022 Festival will be opened with “The Wreckers” by Ethel Smyth, with their production being the first major one to be staged by a major opera house since 1939, as well as the first-ever staging in the original French language. Music Director Robin Ticciati will conduct the London Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as a cast comprised of Clementine Margain, Rodrigo Porras Garulo, Markus Bruck, and Laurenc Fagan. The production will run from May 21 through June 24, 2022.

Next will be a new production of Puccini’s “La bohème.” It will be directed by Floris Visser and conducted by Jordan de Souza, both making their debuts with the company. The cast includes Long Long and Yaritza Veliz as Rodolfo and Mimi, respectively, and Vuvu Mpofu as Musetta. It will run from June 11 – August 14, 2022.

Following this will be a new production of Handel’s “Alcina,” directed by Francesco Micheli, and with Jonathan Cohen conducting the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. The cast includes Jane Archibald in the title role, Ying Fang as Morgana, and Samantha Hankey as Ruggerio. It will run from July 2 – August 24, 2022.

Last among the new productions will be a double bill of Poulenc made up of “La Voix Humaine” and “Les Mamelles de Tiresias.” Laurent Pelly directs, with Ticciati conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The cast features Stephanie d’Oustrac as Elle in the former work, and Elsa Benoit as Therese in the latter. The production will run from August 6 – 28, 2022.

Among the revivals will be Michael Grandage’s production of “Le nozze di Figaro,” and Mariane Clement’s production of “Don Pasquale.”

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