Now in its second year, the Glyndebourne Open Day offers children and adults alike the chance to discover the secrets behind producing an opera. The action-packed event, which is completely free of charge, will run from 10.30am until 4.00pm on Saturday 15 March. For the first time, bookings will be taken online exclusively, via the Glyndebourne website.

Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the grounds of the opera house, enjoy talks backstage and take guided tours behind the closed doors of the prop, wardrobe and wig workshops. Face painting, dressing-up, mask making and stage make-up effects will all be available on the day and picnicking is welcome in designated areas, weather permitting.

For those wanting to flex their vocal cords, the Choral Master will lead visitors and professional singers from the Company in a Carmen sing-a-long in the auditorium to celebrate Glyndebourne's revival of Bizet's Carmen for the 2008 Festival. No experience is necessary.

Continuing the Carmen theme, Glyndebourne's stage and lighting team will treat audiences to a special demonstration, setting the first act of the famous opera with lighting and stage effects used during performances.

In addition to all of the exciting activities on offer, the Glyndebourne Youth Opera will be showcasing their work with various interactive workshops and performances throughout the event. -- www.glyndebourne.com