Andrew Mosely to chair Longborough Festival Opera

Longborough Festival Opera has announced the appointment of Andrew Mosely to the role of non-executive chair of its board of trustees. Effective from 1 September, Mosely succeeds Lizzie Graham who served as interim chair for one year following her husband and Longborough co-founder Martin Graham, who stepped down after 20 years in the role.

The Graham family continue to be involved in Longborough’s work with Martin and Lizzie’s daughter Polly serving as artistic director and their son Leo serving as a trustee. With the 2023 season having drawn to a close earlier this month, the company is now looking to next year’s season which will see the launch of a new Ring Cycle.

Polly Graham said: ‘Longborough is indebted to my mother and father's inspirational leadership, expertise, passion and enthusiasm. Without their energy and drive, this festival would not exist. We continue to be inspired by their tenacity and daring, and intend to keep taking exciting artistic risks as we plan for the future, sharing great opera with as many people as possible.’

Mosely (pictured above) brings over thirty years of experience in senior corporate leadership roles in the UK and the US to his new position. Since his retirement he has also been studying opera. He was awarded a BA in Opera Studies in 2020 and is currently researching for a PhD at Newcastle University focusing on ‘the intersection of opera, surrealism and gender’.

Andrew said: ‘This is an exciting time to be taking over as chair of Longborough's board of trustees. Our artists and musicians are in outstanding form, and, under the artistic leadership of Polly Graham, we have continued energy and a fresh vision for taking forward the commitment to excellence and innovation which has characterised Longborough's work since the festival was co-founded by Martin and Lizzie Graham in 1991.’