The date was July 24, 1992 (though as far as the booklet, box and announcements are concerned that seems to have been a closely guarded secret). The occasion was a fund-raising gala in the presence of the Prince of Wales: a farewell to the theatre in which opera had been given at Glyndebourne since the opening season of 1934. Sir George Christie, an urbane Master of Ceremonies, conceded that it was ‘a moment of some nostalgia’; and so it will be for many who watch this DVD and have fond memories revived. Philip Hope-Wallace used to say that attending an opera in that auditorium was like living in a match-box with a bumble-bee. But most of us were fond of it; and going back to it now, in picture and imagination, endears the place further.

The evening was well managed. Major successes are recalled, partly in the list of programmed works and composers, partly in the artists taking part. Some of them – Elisabeth Söderström, Janet Baker and Geraint Evans – are there only to speak, and all do so very effectively. The musical highpoint comes with Felicity Lott singing the closing scene from Capriccio, Bernard Haitink conducting with undemonstrative skill and affection. Memorable, too, is the reconciliation scene from Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria, with Janet Baker recalling this most moving climax to Peter Hall’s production, and Frederica von Stade, opposite Benjamin Luxon, recreating her own lovely performance of years ago. It’s always good to see Ruggero Raimondi, and his account of Don Basilio’s slander song is something to watch as well as hear. Montserrat Caballé returned (hiring a private jet so as to be back in Barcelona to fulfil her duties at the Olympics): her solo from Otello, conducted by Andrew Davis is sung with marvellous control, though the slow tempo, always seeming about to get slower, weakens the cohesion and underlying tension of the scene. Due tributes are paid to chorus and orchestra, all richly deserved. The film crew must also take a share of the credit, The whole video has been carefully supervised, with no time wasted, and a few occasions found to roam round the garden, catch the light fading on the walls of the house, and see the night sky lit up with celebratory fireworks.