Activities

Gus Christie, Executive Chairman, Glyndebourne (Photo Credit: Graham Carlow)

Many of us have enjoyed an opera and a picnic in the beautiful gardens of Glyndebourne. But perhaps we are not aware of how

this world-famous opera house was created in the grounds of a private country house. John Christie and Audrey Mildmay, founded the Glyndebourne festival in 1934, and Gus Christie, is their grandson. He became Executive Chairman of Glyndebourne in 2000, taking over from his father George Christie. Gus will tell us about the history of the opera house and the festival and how three generations of Christies have enlarged it and rebuilt it in 1994. He will also share some fascinating stories about what goes on behind the scenes!

Gus decided to become involved with Glyndebourne quite late in his career. He graduated from King’s College, London with a degree in zoology. He worked in various theatres before working as a cameraman for Partridge Films from 1989 – 91. He went freelance in 1991 and worked on various natural history documentaries. His interest in natural history sparked an ambition to develop an environmental strategy for Glyndebourne.

In 2004 Gus spearheaded a project to build a 67-metre wind turbine at Glyndebourne to power the opera house via renewable energy. Since the turbine was launched in January 2012, it has produced on average the equivalent of 102% of the organisation’s annual electricity requirements, exceeding a target of 90%. Gus oversees other environmental initiatives and is active in enabling Glyndebourne to achieve its long-term ambition of becoming carbon neutral.

Timings:

9:30am-10:45am: Registration, tea/coffee, Activity Leader tables
10:50am: Members invited to take a seat in the auditorium.
11:00am: Introductions
11:10am: Prof Eve Mitleton-Kelly in conversation with Gus Christie
12:05pm: Q&A
12:20pm: President’s announcements
12:30pm: Meeting conclusion
12:45pm: Hospitality lunch (details tbc)