Arts Diary, Charlotte Higgins: Glyndebourne lovers set a date

Charlotte Higgins: The diary is incredibly excited about the impending nuptials of Gus Christie, executive chairman of Glyndebourne, and Danielle de Niese

The diary is incredibly excited about the impending nuptials of Gus Christie, executive chairman of Glyndebourne, and Danielle de Niese, drop-dead glamorous and fine-voiced soprano. Love's young dream (if Christie, middle-aged yet dashing, may be described thus) met when de Niese came to Sussex to sing Cleopatra in David McVicar's 2005 production of Giulio Cesare. She memorably wore skimpy outfits and did some very hot dancing. Glyndebourne is, of course, well known as a courting ground for musicians: one only need think of the romance between Sir Simon Rattle and another talented singer, Magdalena Kozena. Opera-watchers will be intrigued to note how many roles de Niese is invited to sing in the opera house attached to what will become her family home.

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Charlotte Higgins

The GuardianTramp

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