Summer 2026: Rachel Returns to the Stage at Glyndebourne and the BBC Proms

This summer, Ms. Willis-Sørensen stars in the title role in Richard Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos at the Glyndebourne Festival, with performances on July 19, 23, 26, and 30, and August 3, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 26, and 29. Conducted by Robin Ticciati and directed by Laurent Pelly, the new production features Samantha Hankey, David Butt Philip, and Alina Wunderlin, bringing together an outstanding cast for Strauss’s luminous meditation on love, loss, and transformation.

Ms. Willis-Sørensen first performed Ariadne in 2024 during the Bayerische Staatsoper’s tour in the Hong Kong Arts Festival, where her role debut immediately drew critical acclaim. Reviewing the performance, Joseph So wrote, “American soprano Rachel Willis-Sorensen was a wonderful Ariadne — one would never have guessed that this opening night performance was her role debut.” He went on to praise her “gorgeous” mezza voca in “Ein schönes war” and her “resplendent” top notes in “Es gibt ein Reich”, concluding, “I would not be at all surprised if Ariadne becomes one of her signature roles”. 

Watch Ms. Willis-Sørensen prepare backstage for Ariadne auf Naxos here. 

Tickets and additional information for Ariadne auf Naxos at the Glyndebourne Festival can be found here.

On August 19, Ms. Willis-Sørensen brings Ariadne to the Royal Albert Hall in London for a concert performance as part of the BBC Proms.

Tickets and additional information for the BBC Proms performance can be found here.