• When Glyndebourne Opera House was rebuilt and enlarged in the early 1990s by architect, Sir Michael Hopkins RA, Sir George...

    When Glyndebourne Opera House was rebuilt and enlarged in the early 1990s by architect, Sir Michael Hopkins RA, Sir George Christie CH DL (1934-2014), then Chairman of Glyndebourne, was keen to continue the process of improvement in order to maintain Glyndebourne’s reputation as one of the leading operatic venues in the country.

    Jerwood Foundation made a £1 million donation, then the largest single donation ever received by Glyndebourne, to create a new rehearsal and practice stage. Adjoining the opera house, the Jerwood Studio has exactly the same dimensions as the main stage, allowing singers to experience almost like-for-like performance conditions.  Conceived as part of Glyndebourne’s enlightened policy of promoting exceptional young talent, the Jerwood Studio opened in 2001.

    Image Credit - Jerwood Studio. Photo credit: Mike Hoban

     
  • Jerwood Foundation continues to support Glyndebourne’s Jerwood Young Artists’ Programme which was introduced in 2005 as the Jerwood Chorus Development...

    Jerwood Foundation continues to support Glyndebourne’s Jerwood Young Artists’ Programme which was introduced in 2005 as the Jerwood Chorus Development Scheme and is a central tenet of Glyndebourne's work to support the next generation of opera talent. 

    Since 2010, the focus of this development programme has been on nurturing four or five exceptionally talented singers from the Glyndebourne Chorus selected each year as Jerwood Young Artists. Not only are they offered opportunities to work with leading conductors, directors and choreographers, but their skills and experience are enhanced through receiving a personalised programme of extra vocal and language coaching, stagecraft training and additional recital and performance opportunities at Glyndebourne and Brighton Festival.  

    To date 58 singers have participated in the programme, including many now familiar voices in the world of opera including David Butt Philip, Duncan Rock, Marta Fontanals-Simmons, Stuart Jackson and Anthony Gregory. 

    "In Autumn 2023, I made the decision to start transitioning from baritone to tenor after speaking to trusted colleagues, teachers and industry professionals. The Jerwood scheme came at a critical point in my development, giving me access to weekly coaching from world-renowned musicians. The five recitals I gave were also milestones for me personally, singing tenor repertoire in public for the first time. If it weren’t for the support and weight of responsibility of the Jerwood scheme, I would not be enjoying the success I am currently having in the opera industry"

    - Michael Lafferty, Jerwood Young Artist 2024

    Since 2022 Jerwood Foundation has supported Jerwood Pit Perfect, a programme supporting young recently graduated professional instrumentalists to join the Glyndebourne Sinfonia, gaining their first professional operatic experience. Between 2022- 2024, 26 musicians have completed the Pit Perfect scheme.

     

    Jerwood Young Artist Henna Mun, Soprano. Photo credit: Pablo Strong

  • The studio continues to be a vital rehearsal and performance space that supports the artists we work with to thrive, develop their skills and to produce world-class opera.

    Gus Christie, Executive Chairman, Glyndebourne

    Rinaldo in rehearsal in Jerwood Studio, Glyndebourne Tour, 2019. © Glyndebourne Productions Ltd. Photo: James Bellorini