Longborough Festival Opera has appointed Emily Gottlieb as its new Executive Director from April 2024. Gottlieb joins Longborough from the National Opera Studio where she served as Chief Executive for nine years, following 15 years with the Royal Opera House.
Under her leadership, Longborough will take on the biggest challenge in all opera, staging Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen in summer 2024 with a new confidence and energy.
Emily Gottlieb said: “I’m thrilled to join the Longborough team, especially in this exciting and ambitious year where this intrepid company is mounting Wagner’s monumental Ring Cycle. Longborough has already achieved a reputation for pushing boundaries, and its inventiveness and aspiration are together a draw and a testament to the whole team who make up the company. I look forward to working with Polly, Anthony, staff, artists and trustees to realise the 2024 festival and Longborough’s excellent education programmes, and to help shape its exciting future plans”.
Andrew Mosely, Chair of Longborough Festival Opera said: “I am delighted that Emily will join us as our Executive Director in April 2024 as we embark on this summer’s Ring Cycle. Emily has spent her entire career at the heart of opera in the UK and earned an excellent reputation at all levels within the industry. She has a deep practical understanding of opera making and the vision, experience and leadership skills to help steer Longborough to different and exciting places whilst respecting and serving our core audiences. Emily is a worthy successor to Jennifer Smith, who stood down as Executive Director in October after nine outstanding years at the helm. We very much look forward to welcoming Emily into the Longborough fold.”
Polly Graham, Longborough Artistic Director said: “I warmly welcome Emily to Longborough as our new Executive Director, following the fruitful tenure of Jennifer Smith. Emily joins the company at an exciting and pivotal time. I’m certain Emily’s experience and expertise will help us reach beyond the Ring Cycle, as we take on new challenges and continue to grow, and I greatly look forward to collaborating with her.”
Anthony Negus, Longborough Music Director said: “I am delighted to welcome Emily Gottlieb as our new Executive Director. With her Royal Opera House experience and nurturing of young singers at the National Opera Studio, she will bring a valuable new energy and understanding to Longborough Festival Opera.”
Gottlieb’s appointment comes as Longborough prepares to stage all four productions in Wagner’s epic Der Ring des Nibelungen in summer 2024, alongside a new production of Puccini’s La bohème, and a series of talks and masterclasses to accompany the Ring. At the same time, Longborough will present its latest Playground Opera, a family friendly production of The Elixir of Love, in schools in the Cotswolds.
For more information about Longborough’s 2024 season, visit https://lfo.org.uk/whats-on
ABOVE: Inside the theatre at Longborough Festival Opera (c) Matthew Williams-Ellis