Photo: © CLIVE BARDA/ArenaPAL; What a season it has been for English National Opera. Threatened by Arts Council England with swingeing cuts and hare-brained, uncosted plans for relocation, the company has become one of the most prominent symbols for classical music’s ongoing struggle for survival in UK public culture. But the season has seen the company’s artistic and institutional resolve {…}
The English National Opera (ENO) has announced that Jenny Mollica will be its Interim Chief Executive. She takes over the position for Stuart Murphy who will leave this September. In her new position, Mollica, who is currently the Director of Strategy and Engagement, will work alongside ENO Artistic Director Annilese Miskimmon, music director Martyn Brabbins, and the board. “I am {…}
Arts Council England has set a budget of up to £24 million in funding to support English National Opera’s (ENO) transition to a new artistic and business model. The funding is subject to approval and is intended for the 2024-26 period, with a decision on the application expected this summer. ENO plans to establish a primary base outside London while {…}
(Photo: ENO/Helen Murray) One wonders what Bruges ever did to Georges Rodenbach. His 1892 novella “Bruges-la-Morte” pumps the city full of a repressive religious and psychosexual fog. Its gloomy streets represent a labyrinth of grief, recrimination, and sexual guilt trodden by Paul, the protagonist of Erich Korngold’s 1920 opera “Die tote Stadt,” here billed and sung in English at the {…}
Photo Credit: Marc Brenner English National Opera has had a stay of execution from the swinging cuts imposed on them by Arts Council England before Christmas. At least another year of funding is guaranteed, though it has not come without casualties; the “Siegfried” planned as the next installment of their burgeoning “Ring” has reportedly been pulled. A pity, as Richard {…}
Arts Council England (ACE) has announced plans to conduct an independent analysis of opera and musical theatre following criticism of its investment plans. The news comes after many U.K. companies including the Royal Opera House, English National Opera (EPO), Glyndebourne, and Welsh National Opera released a joint statement asking “the ACE to develop a strategy for opera provision based on {…}
A number of opera houses in the United Kingdom have released a joint statement calling for the Arts Council England (ACE) to develop an opera strategy, in conversations with audiences and colleagues across the industry. The statement said, “The boards of the Royal Opera House, Glyndebourne Opera, Opera North, the English National Opera, English Touring Opera, and Welsh National Opera are {…}
The English National Opera has announced that it will receive funding from the Arts Council England following negotiations and months of protest. The company said, “the English National Opera are pleased to confirm that, following negotiations with Arts Council England, the organization is to receive £11.46m of National Lottery funding for the next financial year, starting 1st April 2023. This {…}
Nadine Dorries is supporting the English National Opera after the Arts Council England cut all its public funding. The former culture secretary took to Twitter and called the ACE’s withdrawal of funds a stunt” and said “it was shocking, lazy, and politically motivated.” She said, “I’ve topped The Stage 100 for moving ACE funding out of London to regions of {…}
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 {…}
Photo: © Lloyd Winters Unlike ballet, which has “The Nutcracker” as a festive staple, there aren’t very many Christmas operas. “La bohème” opens on Christmas eve, and there is invariably snow, but yuletide is hardly the subject of the opera. ENO were scheduled to perform John Adams nativity oratorio “El Niño” during lockdown, but it sadly got canned. Along comes {…}
