Longborough Festival Opera has announced that its founder, Martin Graham, has died.
He passed away on Monday 21 April 2025 at the age of 83 and is survived by his wife Lizzie and three children Cordelia, Leo and Polly.
Describing him as 'an inspiration to all of us', Longborough Festival Opera paid tribute to Martin and his 'incalculable' influence, as well as the theatre he built which has 'brought joy to thousands'.
A builder by trade with no formal musical training, Martin transformed a barn in Gloucestershire into a purpose-built, 500-seat opera house, driven by his passion for Wagner.
Along with his wife Lizzie, they first started hosting summer concerts in the grounds of their home back in 1991 under the name Banks Fee Opera. The project grew into hosting full-scale operatic works, culminating in an ambitious staging of Wagner's Ring Cycle, which is rarely attempted outside of major opera houses.
Martin and Lizzie's daughter Polly Graham, who is an acclaimed opera director in her own right, was appointed as artistic director in 2018; and Emily Gottlieb joined as executive director in 2024 after being the chief executive of the National Opera Studio for nine years.
Providing a uniquely intimate environment where audiences can feel close to the emotion and action on stage, Longborough has garnered critical acclaim, as well as a loyal and growing audience.
With Martin chairing the board of trustees for the charity for over 20 years, he oversaw Longborough Festival Opera becoming one of the Cotswolds' most iconic cultural events.
Longborough’s music director, Anthony Negus, said: 'I was so lucky to become involved with Longborough in 2000: Martin was an enabler and inspirer who made one feel that anything that one wished to achieve would be possible.
'With the participation of all the company, we were able to complete the small Ring cycles and go on to perform the full Ring not once but twice. It was Martin's will, energy and encouragement behind it that inspired us all to fulfil our talents and make it happen.
'His legacy continues the journey today and tomorrow – and the thought and memory of him will continue to bring inspiration to us all.'
Chair of trustees, Andrew Mosely, added: 'Martin’s life was marked by many achievements, but it is his boldness in establishing Longborough Festival Opera with the support of Lizzie and later his three children Polly, Cordelia and Leo that is perhaps the most fitting tribute to his extraordinary and well-lived life'.
For more information about this year's season, see Longborough Festival Opera.
