The English Touring Opera has announced Robin Norton-Hale as the new General Director.

Norton-Hale, who is a multi-award-winning writer and director for theatre, opera and film, will take up the position from July 2022.

She joins ETO from OperaUpClose, where she is Artistic Director & Chief Executive, having co-founded the company in 2009. Norton-Hale, who has worked with the English Touring Opera for 20 years, first as a Press and Marketing Officer in the early stages of her career and where she was given her first directing opportunities. Most recently, for the company’s autumn 2022 season, Norton-Hale wrote the libretto for an upcoming opera for young people,.

In a statement, Robin Norton-Hale said, “I am delighted to be joining English Touring Opera, whose mission to make outstanding opera accessible to the widest possible audience has been an inspiration to me throughout my career. Like many other people around the country, it was through ETO’s brilliant productions that I first encountered some devastating music dramas (particularly Janáček) and lesser-known baroque masterpieces, which under James Conway’s fearless leadership ETO have made their own. It’s an honor to have the opportunity to build on English Touring Opera’sreputation for exceptional artistry and commitment to opera for all, especially their brilliant new work for young people, and I am very excited about what the future holds.”