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About John

John Cox is recognised as one of the major directors of opera.

He was Director of Productions for Glyndebourne, where he directed works by Mozart, Rossini and Haydn, a much celebrated production of Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress, with now-iconic designs by David Hockney, which he returned to direct at the 2023 Festival, and a notable group of Richard Strauss’ domestic comedies – Ariadne auf Naxos, Capriccio, Intermezzo, Die Schweigsame Frau, Der Rosenkavalier and Arabella.

He was Artistic Director of Scottish Opera and Production Director for the Royal Opera, Covent Garden. His opera productions have been seen throughout Europe, North America and Australia. In addition he has worked extensively in theatre, television, film and at major festivals.

Recent productions include Le nozze di Figaro and Così fan tutte for Garsington Opera, Ariadne auf Naxos for the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Cosìfan tutte in Dallas and Thaïs for The Metropolitan Opera of New York.

Contact

Keiron Cooke

Keiron Cooke

Associate Director
Will Pate

Will Pate

Associate Artist Manager

Representation

Worldwide general management with Askonas Holt

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Season Highlights

Jun 2024 - Jul 2024
Garsington Opera
Mozart Le nozze di Figaro John Cox (original director) Bruno Ravella (revival director)

John Cox turns 90

/12 March 2025

As celebrated director John Cox turns 90, Askonas Holt looks back at his extraordinary life and career, with the help of Dame Felicity Lott.

John began his career in 1959 as an assistant director at Glyndebourne, where he eventually became Director of Productions in 1971, a position he held for a decade. Among the many operas he directed was a celebrated production of The Rake’s Progress designed by David Hockney half a century ago - which recently saw a revival at Glyndebourne overseen by John himself. There were many more successful collaborations with Hockney over the years. The pair have remained firm friends, and Hockney has recently completed a portrait of John, cementing their many years working together. 

John's time at Glyndebourne also produced six romantic comedies by Richard Strauss, with whose work he claims a strong affinity. His 1973 staging of Capriccio has been produced around the word, and in 1976, a young Felicity Lott was cast in as Countess Madeline in the Glyndebourne touring production. Her first Strauss role, no less.

She remembers: “What amazing luck as a young, inexperienced singer to have coincided with John Cox’s time at Glyndebourne. All John’s productions are a brilliant marriage of art and music - The Rake’s Progress being a wonderful example - and I am so grateful to have learned all the Strauss rôles that I used to sing guided by John’s impeccable taste, intelligence and humour.”

From Glyndebourne John took the helm of Scottish Opera from 1981 to 1985, directing the UK premiere of the posthumously completed Lulu by Alban Berg, before becoming the principal stage director at the Royal Opera House from 1988 to 1994.

Outside of the UK, John has worked everywhere from the Met to La Scala, in repertoire from favourites like La traviata to rarities like Pizzetti’s Murder in the Cathedral.

His long and fruitful relationship with Garsington Opera continues this summer with a revival of his Fidelio, which he will oversee.

Dame Felicity goes on to say: “I owe him more than I can say and love him very much. Thank you, John, and happy birthday.”

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