Glyndebourne announced the launch of the Glyndebourne Freelancer Fund, intended to support freelancers in the performing arts industry and help them recover from the economic damage caused by the pandemic.

While details of the fund will be further developed this year, Glyndebourne has pledged to set aside an amount equivalent to 10 percent of its annual freelance costs, which will be used to help their contract freelancers.

“Over the past 15 months we have all become much more aware of the imbalance between performing arts companies and freelancers who make up 70% of the theater workforce,” said General Manager Sarah Hopwwod in a press release. “Glyndebourne will only survive and prosper if we can tap into the skills and expertise of these people and we are determined to play a role in helping to create a new, more equitable support structure for them. While we cannot change the future of independents on our own, we can lead the way, which is why I am so excited to announce the launch of the Glyndebourne Freelancer Fund.

The company also announced the works that will be staged in 2022, including plans by six female composers, two of which are new operas, and an often overlooked work.

The 2022 Festival will open with “The Wreckers” by Ethel Smyth, their production being the first major staging by a grand opera since 1939, as well as the very first staging in the original French language. Music director Robin Ticciati will conduct the London Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as a cast consisting of Clementine Margain, Rodrigo Porras Garulo, Markus Bruck and Laurenc Fagan. Production will run from May 21 to June 24, 2022.

Then comes a new production of “La bohème” by Puccini. It will be directed by Floris Visser and directed by Jordan de Souza, both making their debut with the company. The cast includes Long Long and Yaritza Veliz as Rodolfo and Mimi, respectively, and Vuvu Mpofu as Musetta. It will run from June 11 to August 14, 2022.

Then comes a new production of Handel’s “Alcina”, directed by Francesco Micheli, and with Jonathan Cohen at the head of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. The cast includes Jane Archibald in the title role, Ying Fang in Morgana and Samantha Hankey in Ruggerio. It will run from July 2 to August 24, 2022.

The last of the new productions will be a double program by Poulenc composed of “La Voix Humaine” and “Les Mamelles de Tiresias”. Laurent Pelly conducts, while Ticciati conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The cast presents Stéphanie d’Oustrac in the role of Elle in the first book and Elsa Benoit in the role of Thérèse in the second. Production will run from August 6 to 28, 2022.

Coverings include Michael Grandage’s production of “Le nozze di Figaro” and Mariane Clement’s production of “Don Pasquale”.