Lise Davidsen, ENO, Anna Dennis, Lucy Schaufer Among Nominees of Royal Philharmonic Society Awards 2023

(Credit: James Hole) The Royal Philharmonic Society Awards has announced its 2023 shortlists. For the purposes of this article, our focus will only be on vocal or opera-related topics and nominations. Among those shortlisted for the Ensemble award, supported by Wise Music Group, are BBC Singers, Ensemble 360, and Manchester Collective. The English National Opera’s Martyn Brabbins was among those {…}

Dec 16, 2022

Criticism on Fridays: Re-Evaluating the Perspective on the English National Opera Crisis

The English National Opera, one of the largest British operatic institutions and a famous international opera stage, is going through hard times now. After several years of poor economic performance and the recent resignation of its CEO, ENO has lost its £12.6 million core annual funding from Arts Council England starting next year. Instead, the opera house was proposed to {…}

Oct 11, 2022

English National Opera 2022-23 Review: Tosca

Photo: © Genevieve Girling Christof Loy’s new production of “Tosca” for English National Opera, which first appeared in Helsinki in 2018, replaces Catherine Malfitano’s show, which received two revivals during its tenure and last appeared on the Coliseum stage in 2016. The production sees Leo Hussain return to the Coliseum pit – a distinguished Music Director of Opéra de Rouen and {…}

Nov 24, 2021

English National Opera 2021-22 Review: The Valkyrie

(Credit: © Tristram Kenton) It is some 20 years since ENO saw a complete “Ring.” Over the next few years they launch a new production, beginning with “The Valkyrie,” reverting next year to “Das Rheingold,” and then on. It is a bold undertaking to launch a new “Ring” in these challenging times for opera, with no little financial and artistic {…}

Nov 4, 2021

Jennifer Johnston, English National Opera & Bristol Choral Society Among Recipients of Royal Philharmonic Society Awards

(Credits: Bayerische Staatsoper official website / Opera Online) The Royal Philharmonic Society has announced the recipients of its awards for 2021. Mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnston has been awarded in the Singer Category, while the English National Opera’s ENO Breathe received the Impact Award for the program to help Long Covid sufferers across the UK address their breathing and anxiety. The Inspiration {…}

Oct 19, 2021

English National Opera 2021 Review: Satyagraha

(Photo: ©Tristram Kenton) English National Opera haven’t had a live audience in their home at the London Coliseum since March 2020. But they’ve hardly been idle: their costume department made hospital scrubs, they devised a singing program for those suffering with “long COVID,” and performed “Tosca” and “La bohème” in striking outdoor settings. Their 2021-22 season opened last week with {…}

Apr 27, 2017

Metropolitan Opera’s New Marnie Production Among Highlights Of English National Opera’s 2017-18 Season

The English National Opera has released its schedule for the 2017-18 season which features nine operas between September 2017 and April 2018. The season includes four new productions and six revivals. Verdi’s “Aida” is the first opera of the season kicking things off on Sept. 28 and running all the way through December. Latonia Moore and Morenike Fadayomi alternate the {…}