Following the final performance of “Tosca” on Nov. 4 at the English National Opera, soloists protested the Art Council England’s decision to cut its funding. The soloists took to their bows all wearing “Choose Opera” t-shirts. The symbolic bow came a few hours after the Arts Council said it would not give the ENO its annual fund of £12.6 million. {…}
The English National Opera has lost its £12.6 million core annual funding from Arts Council England. The news comes as the arts council announced its funding for the next three years which focused on moving funds outside of Central London. Instead, the ENO will receive £17m over three years to “develop a new business model” and has suggested it will {…}
The English National Opera has announced that Stuart Murphy, current Chief Executive of the ENO and London Coliseum, will leave the company in September 2023. Murphy’s five-year contract comes to an end in April 2023 but he will remain in his post until September to allow for a smooth transition. The company said that it will start looking for Stuart’s {…}
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 {…}
(Photo: Catherine Ashmore) Such has been the success of Margret Atwood’s novel “The Handmaid’s Tale” that, since its publication in 1985, it now finds itself positioned alongside other major 20th century dystopian novels, drawing comparisons with Orwell’s “1984” and Huxley’s “Brave New World.” Like them, it has entered the cultural mainstream, spawning plays, films, a ballet, a major television series, {…}
The English National Opera has announced its 2022-23 season featuring eight productions and seven operas. Leo Hussain conducts Puccini’s “Tosca” in a new production by Christof Loy. The cast will include Sinéad Campbell-Wallace, Adam Smith, and Noel Bouley. Performance Dates: Sept. 30–Nov. 4 2022 Gilbert & Sullivan’s “The Yeomen of the Guard” will include Anthony Gregory, Neal Davies, Alexandra Oomens, Heather {…}
The English National Opera has canceled the first performances of “The Handmaid’s Tale” due to COVID-19. The London company noted, “due to complications caused by COVID during the rehearsal process, we are sorry to announce that the performances of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ on Monday 4 April at 19.00 and Wednesday 6 April at 19.00 are cancelled.” As a result, the {…}
The Olivier Awards have announced their 2022 nominations. For the purposes of this article, we will only focus on the two opera categories. In the category of Outstanding Achievement in Opera, the nominees are Christine Rice for her performance in “4/4” at the Royal Opera House, takis for set and costume design of “HMS Pinafore” by English National Opera, and {…}
The English National Opera has canceled two performances of “Così fan tutte” due to COVID-19. The company noted that “due to complications caused by Covid during the rehearsal process the performances of ‘Così fan tutte’ on Thursday, March 10 and Saturday, March 12 are canceled.” The ENO added, “We are extremely sorry that these performances cannot go ahead and apologize {…}
The English National Opera has canceled the opening night performance of “The Cunning Little Vixen” due to Storm Eunice. The company noted, “we’re sorry to announce that due to today’s red weather warning, tonight’s premiere of ‘The Cunning Little Vixen‘ is canceled. We’re saddened to do this, but the safety of our audiences, staff, and performers whilst traveling to and {…}
The English National Opera is set to present a new production Janáček’s “The Cunning Little Vixen.” The production, which opens on Feb. 18, will be directed by Jamie Manton, who noted, “I am delighted to be back at the ENO, directing this sensational opera alongside the most exciting collective of talent. This piece couldn’t be more timely, capturing what it {…}