Sometimes the most fun jobs are the most unexpected. Case in point: Rob was surprised and delighted to receive a phone call from Glyndebourne early in the year, asking if he’d be interested in writing a piece for the 2019 season programme.
With the ‘new’ Glyndebourne Opera Hosue building turning 25, the Glyndebourne technical team are looking to how to upgrade their building to better handle the style and scales of shows it is now producing, and to provide safer and more efficient working conditions. A key part of this plan is to replace the traditional counterweight flying system with a new automated flying system. Since this would involve fund-raising from Glyndebourne’s supporters, they were looking for an article that could clearly explain the current system and why there was a need for a new system.
Karen Anderson, Glyndebourne’s Head of Content Production, had seen the piece about the refurbishment of the Sydney Opera House in the March 2018 issue of LSi magazine, and felt it provided the perfect model for the Glyndebourne piece.
For Rob researching the piece allowed for a fascinating lunch with Glyndebourne’s Technical Director, Eric Gautron, to discuss the project. It also allowed him to combine his love of new technology with his fascination with the old, including conversations with lighting designers including Paul Pyant and Mark Jonathan who worked at the ‘old’ Glyndebourne early in their careers, and a a good rummage through Glyndebourne’s archive to find pictures to illustrate the article.
The final article appeared in the gorgeous season brochure.
Glyndebourne Opera: [link]