Watch Glyndebourne opera at Somerset House

This August, audiences can watch some of Glyndebourne Festival's headline operas at London's Somerset House via a live relay.

Britten's Billy Budd (August 20), The Rake's Progress (August 21) and Hansel and Gretel (August 22) will be shown on big screens in the courtyard at Somerset House, with LED displays guaranteeing a great viewing experience.

Billy Budd, which is the opening opera of this year's festival, is Michael Grandage's opera debut, and The Rake's Progress features David Hockney's designs.

_{Hansel and Gretel}

Gus Christie, executive chairman of Glyndebourne, said: ‘We're delighted to be at Somerset House with big-screen relays of three of this season's operas.

‘We're continually looking for ways to share our work with the broadest possible audiences, and this forthcoming weekend of screenings will help us to realise this ambition.'

_{The Rake's Progress}

Gwyn Miles, director of Somerset House Trust, added: ‘We're thrilled that, as one of the highlights of our 10th anniversary season, we're able to work with Glyndebourne, one of the world's great opera companies, to bring the extraordinary experience of opera on the big screen to our audiences.'

In addition, there will be workshops inspired by Hockney's designs on August 21, and on August 22, Somerset House will be a family-friendly haven with music workshops and events inspired by folk art and haven.

_{The Rake's Progress}

Fortnum and Mason will supply a Glyndebourne picnic to accompany the viewings. To pre-order, telephone 0845 300 1707 or visit www.somersethouse.org.uk

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