English Touring Opera has won the Achievement in Opera Award at the UK Theatre Awards 2026, which were presented Oct. 12.

The award recognizes the company’s ambition and breadth of programming in venues across the country. Recent productions include Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Gondoliers,” Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci,” Donizetti’s “The Elixir of Love,” Britten’s “The Rape of Lucretia,” Judith Weir’s “Blond Eckbert,” and Bellini’s “The Capulets and the Montagues,” as well as the new studio piece “What Dreams May Come,” which incorporates live puppetry and songs inspired by Shakespeare.

“We are immensely proud to receive the Achievement in Opera award. We believe that audiences deserve exceptional, accessible music theatre wherever they live, and delivering this depends on the hard work and dedication of many people, from carpenters, electricians, directors, designers, orchestral musicians and singers to everyone in our office team, our supporters and partner venues. This award is a fitting tribute to their efforts and we look forward to creating fantastic opera together again,” said Robin Norton-Hale, Artistic Director of English Touring Opera, per an official press release.

Founded in 1979, ETO tours to more towns and cities than any other UK opera company and reaches 40,000 people each year through productions and education and community projects.