The Moderate Soprano

The Moderate Soprano by David HareI want to give my country a model of perfection.

My country needs cheering up.

I'm the man to do it.A man of great passions, John Christie wooed his opera singer wife with determination befitting someone who won the military cross in World War one.

In 1934 the Old Etonian science teacher embarks on the construction of an opera house on his estate in Sussex.

Christie hears of refugees arriving from Nazi Germany who may be able to help him deliver his vision providing they are willing to cast his wife in the lead.David Hare tells the story of how Glyndebourne, the most English of institutions, derives its character firstly from a woman and secondly from an Austrian and two Germans.