UK Edition
ENO appoints Daniel Kramer as new artistic director
It has endured a year of turmoil, from its artistic and music directors stepping down in a storm of controversy to its relegation to special measures for its serious financial problems.
The fate of English National Opera may now rely on one man, as a controversial new artistic director is finally appointed to steer it back on course.
Daniel Kramer, a British-American, is to take up the role at ENO, nearly a year after his predecessor John Berry walked out after 20 years amid questions over his management.
Kramer, who has not run an arts organisation before, is already working with ENO on a new production of Tristan and Isolde, after first coming to their attention in 2008 during a “young director’s initiative”.
He has been no stranger to controversy so far in his career, causing a scandal with a disturbing production of Bartok's Duke Bluebeard's Castle which took influence from Josef Fritzl.
The 2009 ENO production was described by one reviewer as “pure horror”, with its scenes of brutal violence, murder and incestuous rape likened to “snuff porn”.
At the time, the Telegraph warned some imagery was “too offensive to describe here in gory detail”.
Other projects have raised eyebrows, including an Opera North version of Carmen in which the heroine flashed her breasts, and an ambitious musical version of King Kong.
Kramer, the 39-year-old former partner of actor Simon Callow, said he was “honoured” to join ENO, praising its “unique” company spirit.
The director enters the fray at ENO after a tumultuous few months, which have seen the narrowly-averted threat of strikes by the chorus and the dramatic resignation of its music director over sustained tightening of the company's financial belt.
Fans of opera had feared the company may struggle to find a suitable artistic director, who must oversee severe cuts while maintaining its reputation.
“My intention is to champion this family and to inspire audiences night after night with a thrilling programme of musical diversity, attracting audiences from opera to operetta through to popular music,” said Kramer.
“We will work, too, with the wider community outside the Coliseum, to develop emerging talent and new audiences.
“We are here to play and sing for you. I hope you will join us in this new chapter of our evolution.”
Harry Brunje, chairman of ENO, said: “This marks a turning point in the Company’s history as we move towards a new approach to planning seasons and reaching out to new audiences in London and indeed throughout the country.
“We went through an extremely thorough appointment process and Daniel was unanimously chosen as the exceptional individual from a very strong field of candidates.
“I am delighted that he has joined us at a time of great change for the Company”
Kramer will now work alongside CEO Cressida Pollock, who joined the company last year from a management consultancy background.
His previous work includes Punch and Judy at the Young Vic, which won the South Bank Show Award for outstanding achievement in opera.
He has also been an Associate at the Gate Theatre, Notting Hill and the Young Vic, and a Creative Associate at the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Kramer has previously described his ethos, saying: ''I want my theatre to explore the dark side and ask the big questions, but in a way that communicates to my mom.''
He will make his first appearance at ENO’s season announcement next week, but will design his own full programme until 2018-19 thanks to opera’s long lead times.