(Credit: Ashley Plante) When Berlin opera houses called off their performances in March due to the COVID 19 pandemic, one rarely performed opera was stopped dead in its track- the Komische Oper’s production of “Schwanda.” Among the artists set to star in that production was American soprano Sara Jakubiak. Jakubiak, who has appeared on the most important world stages, to {…}
(Credit: David Bebber/Reuters) The English National Opera will take part in”ENO Breathe,” a rehabilitation program aimed at supporting patients recovering from COVID-19. The six-week first phase I of the program will employ lullabies to help teach patients techniques that will focus on their breathing. In Phase II, the ENO and medical experts at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust around the {…}
The English National Opera has announced it is planning a socially distanced season of “stripped-back” productions, with every other row empty and audiences spaced with a two-seat gap between them. Chief executive Stuart Murphy told the Stage that “reducing social distancing to 1-metre meant the venue could operate at about 48% capacity.” The reduction will require smaller productions on stage. {…}
English baritone Neil Howlett passed away on May 21, 2020. from a long-term illness. He was 85. Born on July 24, 1934, in Mitcham, London, Howlett was educated at St. Paul’s Cathedral School and King’s College in Cambridge. While in Cambridge, he won the Kathleen Ferrier Award at the age of 23. His professional debut came in 1964 in the {…}
The English National Opera is planning on relaunching live performances, with a twist. Per several reports, the company is planning to present opera for three weeks in September in a drive-in type atmosphere at the Alexandra Palace in North London. The company would be presenting a 90-minute version of Puccini’s “La Bohème” and a one-hour version of “Mozart’s “The {…}
The English National Opera has announced that it will begin its upcoming season with “Hairspray.” In a letter the company sent to artists and agents, ENO announced that it will show the musical for 10 weeks. “I hope that you and your loved ones are well and safe. Today it will be announced that Hairspray, which had been due to {…}
***This article will be updated as companies announce cancellations*** Major opera houses in the United Kingdom have canceled performances due to the coronavirus outbreak. The English National Opera announced that it was canceling all performances but honor all contracts. Meanwhile the Scottish Opera stated, “In line with advice from the Scottish Government and the announcement from Capital Theatres earlier today {…}
The Olivier Awards have announced the 2020 nominations. For the purpose of this article we will only focus on the two operatic categories. In the Best New Opera Production category “Billy Budd” at Royal Opera House will compete against “Berenice” at Royal Opera House – Linbury Theatre, “Hansel And Gretel” at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, and “Noye’s Fludde” at {…}
The English National Opera has announced the death of Senior Artistic Adviser John McMurray. Murray joined the ENO as Head of Casting in 2006 and in 2015, following the departure of John Berry, became Senior Artistic Adviser. He would remain in that position until he left in 2017, working on all productions during this period. In a statement from the ENO {…}
(Credit: Frances Marshall) English National Opera has announced that the lyrico-spinto soprano Elizabeth Llewellyn will perform the title role in Verdi and Cammarano’s opera “Luisa Miller.” Llewellyn will join a cast that includes baritone Olafur Sigurdarson, tenor David Junghoon Kim, mezzo-soprano Christine Rice, bass Solomon Howard, soprano Nadine Benjamin and bass James Creswell. Alexander Joel is set to conduct the {…}
The English National Opera has announced the appointment of Annilese Miskimmon as its new artistic director. Currently director of Opera at Norwegian National Opera & Ballet, Miskimmon will begin her position at the ENO on Sept. 1, 2020 and will remain in Oslo until the end of the 2019-20 season. In a statement, Miskimmon noted, “I am honored and delighted {…}