https://lfo.org.uk | [email protected] | Tel. 01451 830292
Longborough Festival Opera is an internationally recognised summer opera festival taking place in the picturesque Cotswold village of Longborough, near Stow-on-the-Wold and Moreton-in-Marsh.
It is often described as the friendliest opera festival in the country. You will feel you are amongst friends while enjoying world-class performances of full-scale opera in beautiful surroundings.
The Theatre
What was once a chicken shed is now a working theatre featuring an orchestra pit for 70 players modelled on the theatre at Bayreuth and seats from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. It opens only for our festival and, in 2025, will host 22 performances across the summer.
Food & Drink
Each production includes a 90-minute interval for dinner. Bring your own picnic and find a spot in the grounds to enjoy the spectacular views, or book a place in our own on-site restaurant offering a three-course meal. We have bars on site, and there is a lovely local pub in the village, a few minutes’ walk from the festival site.
What Else Can You Visit Nearby?
The Cotswolds is the perfect place to visit, with many beautiful places to see and things to do. There are historic houses, picturesque countryside, castles, churches, a heritage steam railway, and beautiful villages such as Bourton-on-the-Water.
How To Get There?
The nearest railway station is Moreton-in-Marsh, which has direct trains from major stations, including London Paddington, Hereford and Worcester. We operate a shuttle bus service from the station to our theatre (you will need to prebook this). There is plenty of car parking on site.
Local Accommodation
Our part of the Cotswolds has many types of accommodation available, from small B&Bs and cozy pubs with rooms to larger premium hotels.
Dress Code
There is no dress code. Dress as smartly or as comfortably as you like.
What’s on in 2025? (27 May – 2 August)
Longborough Festival Opera has a reputation for performances of the works of or influenced by Richard Wagner. In 2025, the festival presents the UK premiere of Avner Dorman’s Wahnfried: the birth of the Wagner cult, which charts the Wagner family’s determination to construct the myth of the composer, their brutal infighting and their disturbing political affiliations.
The great Wagnerian conductor Anthony Negus conducts Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande, and resident conductor of Irish National Opera Elaine Kelly and director Louise Bakker present Rossini’s comedy Il barbiere di Siviglia.
Longborough is also known for supporting emerging talent. In 2025, a new production of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas will showcase Longborough’s Emerging Artists and will also feature Barokksolistene, one of the world’s leading baroque ensembles. In 2025, there will also be film screenings of Longborough’s acclaimed 2024 Ring Cycle in nearby Chipping Campden. Tickets open for public sale on 10 March 2025.
PERFORMANCE DATES
AVNER DORMAN WAHNFRIED: THE BIRTH OF THE WAGNER CULT (UK PREMIERE)
27, 29 May, 10, 12, 14 June
ROSSINI IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA
8, 15, 29 June, 5, 6, 12, 13 July
DEBUSSY PELLÉAS ET MÉLISANDE
28 June, 1, 3, 8, 10 July
PURCELL DIDO AND AENEAS featuring Barokksolistene (the Alehouse Boys)
26, 27, 29, 31 July, 2 August
WAGNER RING CYCLE FILM SCREENINGS at Cidermill Theatre, Chipping Campden
26, 28, 30, 31 May
