Glyndebourne
Glyndebourne is one of the most celebrated opera houses in the world, delivering performances to some 150,000 people across a summer festival and autumn season, and a year-round programme of learning & engagement activity. Under the supervision of the Christie family, the festival has been held annually since 1934, except during World War II and in 1993 when the opera house was rebuilt.
Luke was invited by Nerissa Taysom, Glyndebourne's Head of Exhibitions and Collections, and Archivist Phil Boot to collaborate with the opera house for its summer 2025 season. During this period, Luke took over Glyndebourne's Archive Gallery where he reimagined the world of Oliver Messel in a site-specific mural and series of original works on paper. Luke's show took place as part of the wider Oliver Messel exhibition at Glyndebourne: Oliver Messel: Designer. Maker. Influencer.
Oliver Messel: Designer. Maker. Influencer explored Messel’s stagework at Glyndebourne in the 1950s and 1960s. Regarded as one of the most visionary designers of the twentieth century, Messel’s imaginative work transcended the boundaries of stage, film, and interior design, earning him widespread acclaim. Drawing together archival material with new works by contemporary artists and designers, this exhibition celebrated the remarkable imagination and ingenuity of Messel, as well as his enduring influence today.
"Storytelling, like colour, is the thread that runs through all of my projects. My six original artworks for Glyndebourne delve into the narrative aspects of Messel’s designs and include an imagined set design, my take on two Messel costume designs, a mask, a set piece with a table laid for a banquet, and the iconic Glyndebourne rose, which takes its inspiration from Messel’s cover for the 1959 Glyndebourne Programme Book."
– Luke Edward Hall
Glyndebourne produced limited edition prints of each of the six artworks. Luke embellished each individual print with gold foil by hand.
"For this special commission, I've painted a wall mural in response to Messel, titled Fantasy Arcadian Scene (2025). I love Messel’s set designs and the intricacy of the set models he made for Glyndebourne. I wanted to recreate one of his stage sets on the wall - a scene that a visitor could almost step into. It’s an arcadian, pastoral setting that blends a theatrical interior scene with an idyllic exterior."
– Luke Edward Hall
In addition, Luke created a poster for the 2025 festival season, along with a small range of designs for the shop at Glyndebourne. The primary design, given the name Glyndebourne Picnic by Luke, was printed on mugs, aprons and more. The design is an ode to the age-old tradition of picnicking in the Glyndebourne gardens. Picnics here are often elaborate affairs, with visitors setting up their own furniture complete with linens and candlesticks.
"The world of opera has always been very appealing to me because it marries many different types of art and design together - music, choreography, set design, costume design, lighting... I love that Baroque idea of opera being a gesamtkunstwerk, a total work of art."
– Luke Edward Hall
