The 2026 Glyndebourne Festival lineup promises another summer of extraordinary opera. Here is what not to miss…
A GLYNDEBOURNE FIRST
21 May – 30 August
Robin Ticciati conducts his first Tosca
Puccini’s high-stakes thriller of passion, power and betrayal lands at Glyndebourne for the very first time in 2026. Music Director Robin Ticciati takes on his debut Puccini opera, conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra in a sweepingly romantic score. Directed by Ted Huffman, the production opens with Caitlin Gotimer as Tosca, Matteo Lippi as Cavaradossi and Vladislav Sulimsky as Scarpia. A second run later in the season conducted by Jordan de Souza will feature Natalya Romaniw, Atalla Ayan and Alfred Walker in the respective roles.
A GLYNDEBOURNE FIRST
14 June – 25 July
A new staging by Olivier Award-winning director William Kentridge
The distinct visual style of William Kentridge will be showcased in his Glyndebourne debut production of Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo, an opera never seen at Glyndebourne before. Jonathan Cohen will conduct the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment with a cast of period specialists including Krystian Adam as Orfeo, Francesca Aspromonte as La Musica/Euridice, Leia Lensing as Proserpina, Callum Thorpe as Caronte and Davide Giangregorio as Plutone.
NEW PRODUCTION
19 July – 29 August
Laurent Pelly brings sparkle to Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos
The third new production at Festival 2026 will see Glyndebourne favourite Laurent Pelly direct Richard Strauss’ deftly interwoven story of love and art: Ariadne auf Naxos. The cast includes Rachel Willis-Sørensen as Ariadne, Samantha Hankey as Composer, David Butt Philip as Bacchus and Alina Wunderlin performing another key coloratura role as Zerbinetta, after impressing as the Queen of the Night in Festival 2024. Robin Ticciati will conduct the London Philharmonic Orchestra.