| English National Opera - London | 20 April 2019 |
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Jack the Ripper
Die Zauberflöte
Die Lustige Witwe
Akhnaten
La bohème
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Performance reviews
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Jack the RipperEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 12 | |
Vocally it’s an operatic perfect storm |
 6 Apr 19 / Metro |
ENO’s Jack the Ripper: The Women of Whitechapel gets lost in the Whitechapel maze |
| 6 Apr 19 / Seen and Heard |
ENO's Jack the Ripper needs to decide if it wants to be a gore-fest or social history |
| 4 Apr 19 / The Spectator |
more reviews [+]
A new opera tells the stories of Jack the Ripper’s victims |
| 2 Apr 19 / The Economist |
A crucial corrective that fails to match its ambition |
| 2 Apr 19 / Independent |
An impressive achievement |
| 2 Apr 19 / Evening Standard |
The casting of this production is absolutely first rate and redeems a production which splinters too often |
| 2 Apr 19 / Opera Today |
Iain Bell's new opera for ENO |
| 2 Apr 19 / Bachtrack |
An important addition to the operatic repertoire |
| 1 Apr 19 / Classical Source |
Draining the life out of a full-blooded story |
| 1 Apr 19 / Telegraph |
Murder victims refuse to come to life |
| 1 Apr 19 / The Guardian |
A limited achievement |
| 1 Apr 19 / The Stage |
associated articles [+]
The opera bringing dignity back to Jack the Ripper's victims
In The Women of Whitechapel, it is not the serial killer who’s the star, but three generations of formidable ENO singing talent evoking colourful lives in the slum streets he stalked.
In The Women of Whitechapel, it is not the serial killer who’s the star, but three generations of formidable ENO singing talent evoking colourful lives in the slum streets he stalked.
Die ZauberflöteEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 8 | |
McBurney has turned a great Mozart opera into something even greater |
| 23 Mar 19 / Express |
A Magic Flute for our times |
| 20 Mar 19 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
ENO’s production of The Magic Flute feels like a surprisingly contemporary and immersive experience |
| 19 Mar 19 / Gay Times |
more reviews [+]
Simon McBurney's Magic Flute makes a joyous return to ENO |
| 19 Mar 19 / Bachtrack |
Fine singing is the best feature of ENO’s Magic Flute revival |
| 18 Mar 19 / Seen and Heard |
A strong cast in a highly engaging revival of Mozart's The Magic Flute from Simon McBurney, ENO & Complicité |
| 18 Mar 19 / Planet Hugill |
Simon McBurney’s production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute is quite the Gesamtkunstwerk |
| 16 Mar 19 / Classical Source |
Extraordinary revival conjures bond between performers and audience |
| 16 Mar 19 / Independent |
AkhnatenEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 12 | |
In terms of musical and singing performances it was right on the mark |
| 14 Mar 19 / Opera Journal |
One of the best things ENO has done for ages |
| 20 Feb 19 / Express |
ENO’s Akhnaten a mesmerising revival of Philip Glass opera |
| 14 Feb 19 / Gay Times |
more reviews [+]
The casting of this production is superb |
| 14 Feb 19 / Opera Today |
Phelim McDermott’s production of Philip Glass’s Akhnaten makes a welcome return to the Coliseum |
| 13 Feb 19 / Classical Source |
Philip Glass’s flight into Egypt is a slow, sensuous and glittering opera |
| 13 Feb 19 / Evening Standard |
Glass's pharaoh casts his spell once more |
| 13 Feb 19 / The Guardian |
Fabulously beautiful staging of a decidedly pretentious opera |
| 13 Feb 19 / Telegraph |
ENO’s triumphant Akhnaten revival shrouds audiences in minimalism and provides balm |
| 13 Feb 19 / Seen and Heard |
A visually extraordinary staging |
| 13 Feb 19 / The Stage |
Mesmerising Akhnaten returns to ENO |
| 13 Feb 19 / Bachtrack |
A meditation on the distant past |
| 13 Feb 19 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
associated articles [+]
Behold, the naked Pharaoh: singing Philip Glass's Akhnaten
You need more than a good voice to sing the countertenor role of the sun-worshipping Egyptian leader. But it’s changed Anthony Roth Costanzo's life
You need more than a good voice to sing the countertenor role of the sun-worshipping Egyptian leader. But it’s changed Anthony Roth Costanzo's life
Die Lustige WitweEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 14 | |
ENO have had the courage to bring the tale up to date in glorious fashion |
| 13 Mar 19 / Express |
What a messy widow |
| 13 Mar 19 / Daily Mail |
Sarah Tynan’s star turn in The Merry Widow lifts a panto-style production let down by smutty jokes |
| 11 Mar 19 / The Observer |
more reviews [+]
A Widow without allure |
| 6 Mar 19 / The Article |
Vienna goes to Broadway for ENO's Merry Widow |
| 5 Mar 19 / Bachtrack |
The Merry Widow is a glorious and coarse love story |
| 5 Mar 19 / Londonist |
Piss poor |
| 4 Mar 19 / The Critics' Circle |
Glamorous, gaudy romcom with subversive spirit |
| 4 Mar 19 / The Guardian |
Topical ENO production that brings the house down |
| 4 Mar 19 / Independent |
Dancing beavers give ENO’s new The Merry Widow ooh la la! |
| 4 Mar 19 / Seen and Heard |
A sparkling Merry Widow at ENO |
| 4 Mar 19 / Opera Today |
A sparkling new production which brings an element of farce to the comedy, but seems not yet quite in focus |
| 4 Mar 19 / Planet Hugill |
With this Merry Widow ENO has a potential hit on its hands |
| 3 Mar 19 / Classical Source |
It is in the orchestra pit that the real star of Max Webster’s new take on The Merry Widow resides |
| 3 Mar 19 / The Reviews Hub |
War RequiemEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 12 | |
A thoughtful production by ENO's artistic director Daniel Kramer |
| 13 Dec 18 / Express |
Sobre héroes y tumbas |
| 3 Dec 18 / Mundo Clásico (Spanish) |
Kramer’s vision and Tilmans’s unforgettable photography create a powerful War Requiem |
| 21 Nov 18 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
Inspiration eludes Kramer in Britten's War Requiem at English National Opera |
| 20 Nov 18 / Bachtrack |
Staging Britten's War Requiem |
| 20 Nov 18 / Opera Today |
This tale of suffering and the struggle to understand the reason for it was superb |
| 20 Nov 18 / Independent |
Staging Britten's choral masterpiece brings uncertain rewards |
| 20 Nov 18 / The Guardian |
A mesmerising performance |
| 20 Nov 18 / Londonist |
Staging the unstageable, Daniel Kramer and ENO's striking version of Britten's large-scale concert work |
| 19 Nov 18 / Planet Hugill |
ENO's attempt to turn Britten's choral masterpiece into an opera had all the subtlety of a fifth-form school play |
| 19 Nov 18 / Telegraph |
Daniel Kramer directs an unforgettable staging |
| 18 Nov 18 / The Stage |
For all the staging’s moments of visual grandeur, it is sympathetic to the music |
| 17 Nov 18 / Classical Source |
La bohèmeEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 12 | |
ENO’s Bohème is the safe option, the show you take your granny to |
| 6 Dec 18 / The Spectator |
This staging of La Bohème bids a warm welcome to opera newbies |
| 6 Dec 18 / A Younger Theatre |
A stylish La bohème |
| 2 Dec 18 / The Sunday Times |
more reviews [+]
This delightful production of La Bohème is the alternative Christmas show you need |
| 2 Dec 18 / The Reviews Hub |
Jonathan Miller's La bohème returns to the Coliseum |
| 30 Nov 18 / Opera Today |
La Bohème brings a biting Paris winter to life on the London stage |
| 30 Nov 18 / Londonist |
A wonderful evening under the baton of Alexander Joel |
| 28 Nov 18 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
A house debut to savour: Natalya Romaniw soars in revival of ENO's Bohème |
| 28 Nov 18 / Bachtrack |
ENO on top form for welcome resurrection of Miller’s popular La bohème |
| 28 Nov 18 / Seen and Heard |
Surefire revival touches the heights |
| 28 Nov 18 / The Guardian |
Its restraint combines humour, well-defined characterisations and a slow release of emotional tension |
| 28 Nov 18 / Classical Source |
Authoritative staging of a masterpiece that continues to surprise |
| 28 Nov 18 / Telegraph |
Porgy and BessEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 10 | |
Del gheto al cielo con los maestros cantores de Charleston |
| 15 Nov 18 / Mundo Clásico (Spanish) |
A vital and sweeping ‘Porgy and Bess’ debuts in London |
| 29 Oct 18 / New York Times |
ENO’s production restores the majestic brilliance of the full score |
| 21 Oct 18 / The Reviews Hub |
more reviews [+]
Full of good things |
| 15 Oct 18 / Planet Hugill |
Fine ENO cast but as Catfish Row comes to the Coliseum perhaps Porgy and Bess is too ‘traditional’ |
| 15 Oct 18 / Seen and Heard |
With John Wilson, Gershwin's music is the winner at ENO's Porgy and Bess |
| 13 Oct 18 / Bachtrack |
You can almost hear the heat |
| 13 Oct 18 / The Guardian |
Some first-night caution aside, this will shape up to be one of the company’s signature productions |
| 13 Oct 18 / Classical Source |
The chorus are like the best gospel choir you’ve ever heard |
| 13 Oct 18 / The Times |
Knock-out choruses but a hollow core |
| 13 Oct 18 / Telegraph |
Lucia di LammermoorEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 11 | |
A dramatic and musically triumphant mad scene is a highlight of ENO’s Lucia revival |
| 12 Nov 18 / Seen and Heard |
Madness is at the heart of David Alden's production, the only way out for a Lucia controlled equally by brother and lover |
| 5 Nov 18 / Planet Hugill |
We are fortunate to have Sarah Tynan as a superbly well-nuanced and grippingly effective Lucia |
| 31 Oct 18 / Planet Hugill |
more reviews [+]
Amid the gothic horror of ENO’s staging Sarah Tynan is a superb Lucia |
| 30 Oct 18 / The Times |
English National Opera revives Lucia di Lammermoor in chilling style |
| 29 Oct 18 / Bachtrack |
English National Opera have hit pure gold in their third outing of the season |
| 29 Oct 18 / Express |
English National Opera revives Lucia di Lammermoor in chilling style |
| 27 Oct 18 / Bachtrack |
David Alden's fine Lucia returns to ENO |
| 27 Oct 18 / Opera Today |
There is blood, there is thunder, there is incest, sacrifice, death and madness |
| 27 Oct 18 / OperaWire |
A superbly cogent piece of theatre |
| 27 Oct 18 / The Guardian |
A blazing revival of a masterpiece |
| 27 Oct 18 / Telegraph |
SalomeEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 20 | |
The musical pleasures were supplemented by some good singing and dramatic performances |
| 18 Oct 18 / Opera Journal |
Losing heads in London |
| 17 Oct 18 / ConcertoNet (English) |
A radically feminist version of the story |
| 12 Oct 18 / Express |
more reviews [+]
If you’re used to installation art, you’ll take to it more readily |
| 9 Oct 18 / The Critics' Circle |
Blood and guts meet street dance and a kinky Santa in a provocative production of Strauss’s opera |
| 7 Oct 18 / The Observer |
ENO’s cast deserved better than this incompetent, incoherent production of Salome |
| 5 Oct 18 / Seen and Heard |
There will be blood in English National Opera’s Salome |
| 4 Oct 18 / San Francisco Classical Voice |
Once-banned opera Salome is back on the London stage |
| 2 Oct 18 / Londonist |
Flogging a dead horse: a new Salome at English National Opera |
| 2 Oct 18 / Bachtrack |
English National Opera's production is psychologically acute but dramaturgically flawed |
| 2 Oct 18 / Evening Standard |
Visually arresting, but decidedly peculiar |
| 1 Oct 18 / The Stage |
A cold-hearted, half-baked conceptual riff on an opera that should leave you shattered |
| 1 Oct 18 / The Times |
Vividly theatrical, lyrically sung, but.... |
| 1 Oct 18 / Planet Hugill |
ENO's Salome both intrigues and bewilders |
| 1 Oct 18 / Opera Today |
Petals, porn and dead ponies give Strauss a feminist reboot |
| 1 Oct 18 / The Guardian |
Inertia kills strong stage pictures, decent singing and a bejewelled orchestra |
| 30 Sep 18 / The Arts Desk |
The excellent cast captures the audience from the start |
| 30 Sep 18 / The Upcoming |
Headless horses with floral innards in theatre of the absurd |
| 30 Sep 18 / Independent |
Big on gesture but short on enlightenment |
| 30 Sep 18 / Classical Source |
A baffling, feminine interpretation of Strauss |
| 30 Sep 18 / Telegraph |
associated articles [+]
Heady stuff: Salome, a bloody and brutal heroine for our age?
Strauss’s opera, with its necrophilia, nudity and sheer nastiness is - and always was - a huge challenge for singers. Can a new production coming to ENO emphasise its ‘mythic and feminine’ elements?
Strauss’s opera, with its necrophilia, nudity and sheer nastiness is - and always was - a huge challenge for singers. Can a new production coming to ENO emphasise its ‘mythic and feminine’ elements?
Paul BunyanEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 6 | |
Where the opera fails is in its story-telling |
| 13 Sep 18 / Express |
Britten’s facility and efficacy for appropriating musical styles is on constant display |
| 6 Sep 18 / Classical Source |
New world created in old music hall: Paul Bunyan at Wilton's |
| 5 Sep 18 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
Jamie Manton’s wonderfully alive staging of Paul Bunyan for ENO |
| 5 Sep 18 / Seen and Heard |
Embrace the chaos and there’s fun to be had |
| 5 Sep 18 / The Times |
Britten's first opera is still a joyful spectacle of youthful exuberance |
| 5 Sep 18 / Telegraph |
The Turn of the ScrewEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 12 | |
Intelligent, cogent and, as the sky darkened, properly spooky |
| 2 Jul 18 / The Observer |
A brilliantly creepy Turn Of The Screw |
| 30 Jun 18 / Metro |
A spook in the park that’s beautiful listening |
| 29 Jun 18 / A Younger Theatre |
more reviews [+]
Not enough spookiness at ghostly chamber opera that hints at child abuse |
| 29 Jun 18 / Ham&High |
Knocking it out the (Regent's) Park |
| 28 Jun 18 / Bachtrack |
Toby Purser conducts with authority and sensitivity |
| 28 Jun 18 / Classical Source |
The singing is superb and one sensed that every member of the capacity audience was spellbound if not spooked |
| 27 Jun 18 / Opera Today |
A chillingly convincing revival of Britten's ghostly opera |
| 27 Jun 18 / Telegraph |
Reviews search
Performance schedule
Purcell
11 May to 2 Jun 2019
Britten
3 to 12 Jul 2019
Gluck
1 Oct to 19 Nov 2019
Offenbach
5 Oct to 28 Nov 2019
Birtwistle
18 Oct to 13 Nov 2019
Gilbert & Sullivan
28 Oct to 30 Nov 2019
Glass
15 to 29 Nov 2019
Bizet
29 Jan to 27 Feb 2020
Verdi
12 Feb to 6 Mar 2020
Puccini
26 Feb to 17 Apr 2020
Mozart
14 Mar to 18 Apr 2020
Dvorak
28 Mar to 15 Apr 2020
News & Articles
| Daniel Kramer leaves ENO |
A remarkable talent out of step with the English arts establishment. |
| 18 Apr 2019 / Telegraph |
| A welcome return for Birtwistle as ENO focuses on Orpheus myth |
The 19/20 season looks set to reinvigorate the opera company’s repertoire, and, while a strong showing of women directors and conductors is welcome, why no new commissions? |
| 4 Apr 2019 / The Guardian |
| 'Preserved in aspic': opera embarks on diversity drive |
English National Opera reveals radical measures to transform shockingly white company. |
| 28 Jan 2019 / The Guardian |
| ENO to give under-18s free Saturday night tickets |
English National Opera announces ‘seismic’ initiative to lure next generation of customers. |
| 18 Dec 2018 / The Guardian |
| English National Opera |
As ENO marks 50 years at the Coliseum, is it time to move on? |
| 5 Oct 2018 / Telegraph |
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