Stephen Langridge has been appointed Artistic Director of the Glyndebourne Festival.

The Glyndebourne Festival announced that the current director for Opera and Drama at Gothenburg Opera, Sweden will take his new role in Spring 2019.

Throughout the years Langridge has been a strong advocate of contemporary music and has directed several world premieres at the Royal Opera House, Aldeburgh Festival, Dutch National Touring Opera, and Glyndebourne. He has also directed a number of acclaimed productions including “Otello” for the Salzburg Festival, “Parsifal” for the Royal Opera House and “La Damnation de Faust” at Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Of his appointment, Langridge noted, “Underlying all my work is the belief that opera is a natural and dynamic form of human expression, to which everybody should have access, both as a participant and audience. I am thrilled to take up this appointment as Artistic Director of Glyndebourne, and join the superb team of talented and ambitious people making extraordinary and transformational opera experiences.”

As Artistic Director, Stephen Langridge will join Sarah Hopwood, Managing Director, who together will lead Glyndebourne to ensure it achieves the highest artistic standards as well as maintain the financial independence that enables it to continue its bold and innovative direction.