English National Opera looks back on a ‘challenging’ year and unveils the new season
The English National Opera has announced a nine-production 2023/24 season after a “challenging” year.
Works performed by the opera include The Handmaid’s Tale, based on Margaret Atwood’s book of the same name, The Magic Flute and Bluebeard’s Castle by Bela Bartók.
The Arts Council England (ACE) announced plans in November to abolish ENO as a national portfolio organisation.
The public body proposed that ENO receive a £17million grant over three years, but only if the company relocates outside of London, with a move to Manchester being proposed.
In April it was announced that the opera company would receive funding of up to £24million from ACE to support a move.
Annilese Miskimmon, ENO Artistic Director, said: “Last season was challenging after the Arts Council stripped ENO of NPO status, but also incredibly rewarding with sold-out, critically acclaimed productions across a huge range of repertoire.”
“We are delighted that 64% of our audience were new to ENO – the highest number recorded in six years – including a record number of participants under 35 and under 21.”
ACE had previously said the funding was granted to “maintain a program of work at ENO’s headquarters, the London Coliseum” while “helping ENO to begin planning for a new base outside of London by 2026”.
Following shows in Germany, France and Italy, the final ENO season also sees the UK premiere of 7 Deaths Of Maria Callas by director and performance artist Marina Abramovic.
It examines the life, work and death of the American-Greek soprano Callas, who died in 1977.
Also, Bluebeard’s Castle – which tells the grim tale of a nobleman’s newest wife – will be restaged after 15 years, along with the revival of Gilbert and Sullivan’s satirical fantasy “Iolanthe,” the Olivier Award-winning romantic tragedy “La Traviata.” and David Alden’s psychodrama Peter Grimes.
The futuristic dystopian tale The Handmaid’s Tale, which made its operatic debut last year directing Ms. Miskimmon and previously had a series and a film adaptation, also returns as mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey reprises the role of Offred.
Also back are Gioachino Rossini’s comedy The Barber of Seville, which premiered in 1987, Mozart’s The Magic Flute and the Olivier Award-winning staging of Leos Janacek’s family drama Jenufa, conducted by the Music Director of the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra. Keri Lynn Wilson.
Ms Miskimmon said: “We’ve curated this season to delight our ENO regulars and newcomers alike with the return of old and new favorites that highlight the drama, beauty and emotion of this immersive art form.”
“It is a great privilege to work with such exciting talent on stage, in the pit and behind the scenes.”
Peter Grimes opens the latest season from September 21st to October 11th, 2023 and Bluebeard’s Castle closes it from March 21st to March 23rd, 2024.
https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/english-national-opera-maria-callas-margaret-atwood-marina-abramovic-london-b1081788.html English National Opera looks back on a ‘challenging’ year and unveils the new season
