Garsington Opera has announced its 30th anniversary season, which is set to include four new productions – including a UK stage premiere of Offenbach’s little-known “Fantasio.” The season will run from May 29, 2019 through July 26, 2019.

The season kicks off with Smetana’s “The Bartered Bride,” set in the English countryside. Natalya Romaniw stars as Mařenka, alongside Brenden Gunnell as Jenik. The production also features Joshua Bloom as Kecal, Stuart Jackson as Vašek, Peter Savidge as Krušina, Heather Shipp as Ludmila, Brian Bannatyne-Scott as Mícha, Anne-Marie Owens as Háta, Jeffrey Lloyd-Roberts as Circus Master, and Lara Marie Müller as Esmeralda. Jac van Steen will conduct the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Performance Dates: May 29 – June 30, 2019

Mozart’s classic “Don Giovanni” will follow, featuring Jonathan McGovern in the title role, David Ireland as Leporello, Sky Ingram as Donna Elvira, Trystan Llyr Griffiths as Don Ottavio, Camila Titinger as Donna Anna, Mireille Asselin as Zerlina, Thomas Faulkner as Masetto, and Paul Whelan as the Commendatore. Artistic Director Douglas Boyd conducts.

Performance Dates: May 30 – July 21, 2019

In celebration of Offenbach’s bicentenary year, the Garsington Opera will be performing a production of his opera “Fantasio.” Hanna Hipp will star as the Jester, with his love interest, Princess Elsbeth, performed by Jennifer France. Also featured are Huw Montague Rendell as Prince of Mantua, Timothy Robinson as Marinoni, Brian Bannatyne-Scott as King of Bavaria, and Bianca Andrew as Flamel. Benjamin Lewis, Joseph Padfield, and Joel Williams round out the cast. Justin Doyle, Artistic Director of RIAS Kammerchor, Berlin, will conduct.

Performance Dates: June 14 – July 20, 2019

Britten’s “The Turn of the Screw,” libretto by Myfanwy Piper, tells the story of a young governess sent to a remote country house to care for two children. The cast includes Sophie Bevan as the governess, Ed Lyon as Prologue/Quint, Kathleen Wilkinson as Mrs. Grose, and Katherine Broderick as Miss Jessel. Richard Farnes will conduct.

Performance Dates: July 1 – 19, 2019

Finally, three concert performances of Monteverdi’s “Vespers of 1610” will celebrate the start of a partnership between the Garsington Opera and the Baroque and Classical chamber orchestra The English Concert. The orchestra will perform using period instruments and will be joined by soloists Mary Bevan, Sophie Bevan, Benjamin Hulett, Robert Murray, and James Way. Laurence Cummings will conduct with the Garsington Opera Chorus.

Performance Dates: July 24 – 26, 2019