Glyndebourne is an opera house in the Sussex countryside, just one hour from London. It is home to: • The summer Glyndebourne Festival • The autumn Glyndebourne Tour • A widely respected education programme, now in its 30th anniversary year In the world of opera Glyndebourne is unique. It is recognised globally as one of the great opera houses, reaching audiences of around 150,000 across the summer Festival and the autumn Tour, as well as many more through cinema screenings and online streams. Glyndebourne all began with a love story in 1934 when founder John Christie met soprano Audrey Mildmay. It remains a very English institution. The opera house stands next to the country home of John Christie, who founded it in 1934. Now run by his grandson Gus, it is still very much a family concern. Festival audiences arrive from far and wide and an extended interval gives them time to eat in one of the on-site restaurants or enjoy a picnic in the gardens. Glyndebourne is committed to presenting opera of the highest quality, commissioning new work, developing new talent and reaching new audiences. Glyndebourne has remained financially independent since 1934. Although it receives valued Arts Council support for the Tour and some educational work, the Festival receives no public subsidy. Glyndebourne is a registered charity, funded by box office income, its members and supporters.