Charles Cunliffe. Photo credit: Pablo Strong.
Jerwood Foundation has continued to support Glyndebourne’s Jerwood Young Artist Programme and Jerwood Pit Perfect through a large grant of £120,000 over two years.
Each year up to five aspiring soloists from the Glyndebourne Chorus are selected to take part in the Jerwood Young Artist programme, which involves career-changing support and professional development over a full Glyndebourne Festival season. Each of the Jerwood Young Artists work with leading conductors, directors, choreographers and coaches to enhance their skills and experience. The aim is to transform their trajectory from choristers to emerging solo artists that have the skills and experience to go on to have successful careers in the UK and internationally.
The Jerwood Pit Perfect scheme, taking place between September and December during Glyndebourne’s Autumn Season, offers up to 10 recently graduated instrumentalists outstanding performance and mentoring opportunities. The Pit Perfect players join the Glyndebourne Sinfonia for the Autumn Season, gaining their first professional operatic experience alongside mentoring and support. Jerwood Pit Perfect extends Glyndebourne’s cornerstone commitment to nurturing young talent from all backgrounds.
Glyndebourne Artistic Director, Stephen Langridge said:
We’re extremely grateful to Jerwood Foundation for its continued and vital support which enables us to nurture the next generation of operatic talent at Glyndebourne. Each year, our Jerwood Young Artists and musicians on the Jerwood Pit Perfect scheme get the unique opportunity to work alongside our world-class artists and coaches. This enables them to learn direct from the very best at an early point in their careers, strengthening not only Glyndebourne’s pool of talent but the wider world of opera in the UK.
Jonathan Tunnell, Glyndebourne Sinfonia Orchestra Manager said:
This unique scheme for young instrumentalists has now introduced 66 outstanding newly graduated players to the world of working in an opera orchestra at the very highest level over the past eight Autumn Seasons. We had little idea at the start how Pit Perfect would influence the Glyndebourne Sinfonia going forward but welcoming these youngsters to the orchestra on the scheme has led to many, including our Assistant Leader, becoming regular players in the orchestra. With as many as nine former Pit Perfect players joining us each autumn it is proof to the new generation each year that there is a progression from the scheme to regular professional work.
For further information please visit Glyndebourne
November 24, 2024
