#celestial harmonies

“Celestial harmonies” Screenshot art.

GIF by @fuckyeahgoodomens

This is one of my favourite lines from Good Omens, and that's because Glyndebourne is the single most Aziraphalean event to ever exist, and I am convinced he had a hand in its foundation.

So, in case you're not familiar with this particular place and event, let me introduce you.

Glyndebourne is a manor house in Sussex, only a short distance away from the South Downs National Park. In appearance, it's much like other pre-Elizabethan country houses. Large, imposing, worth a visit if you're interested in history. But what makes this place a little different is the opera festival that takes place there every summer.

In the early 20th century, John Christie, the owner at the time, decided to build an extension that would host a whole opera house, complete with stage, auditorium, and orchestra pit.

Because that's the sort of thing wealthy English people do. Here he is with his wife Audrey, who was a soprano:

John loved opera, obviously, or he wouldn't have turned his extension into an opera house, and soon he started to put on private opera evenings for his rich friends. That soon evolved into the Glyndebourne Opera Festival, which began in 1934. Since then, the house has been putting on opera every summer. Here are some guests at the 1939 event:

But there is one thing that sets Glyndebourne apart from your average opera festival. And that's the picnic.

Productions are staged during the day, with an extended interval for a picnic on the lawn outside. This is mostly an opportunity for the guests to eat fancy sandwiches and get absolutely wasted on champagne. You can't tell me Aziraphale didn't have a hand in that tradition:

To this day, Brits who can afford it flock to Glyndebourne to enjoy a day of opera, but mostly to lounge about on the lawn in black tie. It's one of those things that is as much about being seen as it is about seeing and enjoying the music, and you'll often spot celebrities or members of the aristocracy there. If you ever get your hands on a ticket (which are rather expensive, though they have a £30 ticket for under-30's, which is how I was able to attend once), make sure you stick to the dress code and bring your own hamper.

Here's hoping that I don't notice a million things I forgot about after uploading.

As you can see..... I like detail.

A little too much.

Would like some feedback if you don't mind :')

Please be nice.

Serenade!

I think the celestial harmonies are working, angel 😍

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[from @mielpetite 's Feb 2020 prompt list!]