| English National Opera - London | 2 June 2024 |
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Il barbiere di Siviglia
7 Deaths of Maria Callas
Blue
Das Rheingold
It's a Wonderful Life
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Performance reviews
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SalomeEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 20 | |
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 |
A stunning reimagination of Britten's ghost opera |
| 27 Jun 18 / What's on Stage |
An atmospheric but not especially scary open air outing |
| 26 Jun 18 / Time Out |
Britten’s score becomes increasingly suggestive of evil forces insidiously whittling away the sanity of trusting innocents |
| 26 Jun 18 / The Times |
Britten's opera chills the spine as darkness falls |
| 26 Jun 18 / The Guardian |
Le nozze di FigaroEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 9 | |
An unusually strong cast makes up for muddy staging |
| 6 Apr 18 / Independent |
This is exactly what the English National Opera should be doing |
| 4 Apr 18 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
A reasonably safe, crowd-pleasing production enhanced by engaging performances |
| 4 Apr 18 / The Stage |
more reviews [+]
A very humane comedy |
| 2 Apr 18 / Planet Hugill |
Lust and labyrinths |
| 2 Apr 18 / Bachtrack |
ENO stimulates with revival of Mozart’s The Marriago of Figaro |
| 2 Apr 18 / Seen and Heard |
A revival that shows many more strengths than weaknesses |
| 1 Apr 18 / Music OMH |
Fiona Shaw's The Marriage of Figaro returns to the London Coliseum |
| 31 Mar 18 / Opera Today |
This Figaro stands well and there is much to relish and enjoy |
| 31 Mar 18 / Classical Source |
La TraviataEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 13 | |
The kink’s english |
| 3 Apr 18 / parterre box |
Essential story gets rather lost |
| 26 Mar 18 / Express |
A worthy production debut from Daniel Kramer’s team now that he has his feet under the table |
| 21 Mar 18 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
more reviews [+]
More croce than delizia: Daniel Kramer’s new Traviata offers entertainment but little heart |
| 20 Mar 18 / Bachtrack |
The key performers are dangerously exposed |
| 19 Mar 18 / The Times |
Kramer's production ultimately seemed a little too eager, too desperate to please |
| 19 Mar 18 / Opera Today |
Daniel Kramer’s La traviata for English National Opera disappoints |
| 19 Mar 18 / Seen and Heard |
By and large this is a cack-handed production |
| 19 Mar 18 / Independent |
Decadence and camp debauchery in a Verdi partyland |
| 19 Mar 18 / The Guardian |
ENO's disappointing new production of Verdi's popular crowd-puller |
| 19 Mar 18 / What's on Stage |
Daniel Kramer digs a grave for musical-theatre possibilities |
| 18 Mar 18 / The Arts Desk |
This Traviata is similarly jinxed |
| 18 Mar 18 / Classical Source |
There was no scandal here, just conventional operatic melodrama |
| 18 Mar 18 / Telegraph |
A Midsummer Night's DreamEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 17 | |
Summer lovin’ |
| 20 Mar 18 / The Critics' Circle |
A double helping of Titania, Bottom and friends |
| 12 Mar 18 / The Observer |
Notwithstanding the colourful costumes, this production of A Midsummer Night's Dream has inert, unimaginative and superficial staging
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| 11 Mar 18 / Daily Mail |
more reviews [+]
The result brings joy to the heart |
| 7 Mar 18 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
ENO’s excellent company performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream |
| 6 Mar 18 / Seen and Heard |
Bright-eyed and comic |
| 6 Mar 18 / Financial Times |
Why did ENO bother to revive Robert Carsen’s limp Britten staging? |
| 5 Mar 18 / The Times |
A return to the world of sleep and dreams |
| 5 Mar 18 / Planet Hugill |
The perfect winter warmer, Robert Carsen's ageless production returns to ENO |
| 3 Mar 18 / What's on Stage |
Hot ice and strange snow: an unseasonal return for Carsen’s bed-hopping Dream |
| 3 Mar 18 / Bachtrack |
Robert Carsen's A Midsummer Night's Dream returns to ENO |
| 3 Mar 18 / Opera Today |
The perfect antidote to a cold winter's evening |
| 3 Mar 18 / Telegraph |
Carsen's classic staging makes a welcome return |
| 3 Mar 18 / The Guardian |
With sigh-inducing simplicity, Carsen’s production covers Shakespeare’s big themes |
| 3 Mar 18 / Classical Source |
You can't see the forest for the very stylish trees |
| 3 Mar 18 / Evening Standard |
The latest revival of Robert Carsen’s production confirms its theatrical brilliance |
| 3 Mar 18 / The Stage |
A faithful version of the play with added humour |
| 3 Mar 18 / Express |
IolantheEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 15 | |
Un bain d’humour britannique |
| 6 Mar 18 / ConcertoNet (French) |
Fairy bad |
| 23 Feb 18 / The Critics' Circle |
Here is staging and performance deserving the full support of the Arts Council |
| 21 Feb 18 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
more reviews [+]
A bring-the-whole-family production |
| 20 Feb 18 / Express |
An opera with a cast that is pretty close to perfect |
| 19 Feb 18 / Express |
The production feels very fresh at the moment and it needs to stay that way |
| 16 Feb 18 / Music OMH |
The new Gilbert and Sullivan offering from English National Opera is sheer bliss |
| 15 Feb 18 / What's on Stage |
Cal McCrystal’s new production relishes the topsy-turvy world where peris consort with peri-wigs |
| 15 Feb 18 / Opera Today |
The first two acts are nowhere near funny enough |
| 15 Feb 18 / Independent |
House of Lords satire bursts with frothy exuberance |
| 15 Feb 18 / The Guardian |
A colourful, exuberant riot |
| 15 Feb 18 / Bachtrack |
The staging is particularly arresting visually |
| 15 Feb 18 / Classical Source |
ENO rendition of Gilbert & Sullivan opera is a second-class show |
| 15 Feb 18 / Evening Standard |
Could prove just the big hit that ENO needs |
| 15 Feb 18 / Telegraph |
Director Cal McCrystal never knows when to stop, diverting too much attention from the music and lyrics |
| 15 Feb 18 / The Times |
SatyagrahaEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 13 | 
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Perfectly thought-through and immaculately staged |
| 12 Feb 18 / Express |
A persistent meditative state |
| 9 Feb 18 / Bachtrack |
A masterclass in suggestion and imagination |
| 8 Feb 18 / The Guardian |
more reviews [+]
This choral work raises us from the cares of life to something etherea |
| 7 Feb 18 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
A largely new cast and conductor bring something very special to this seminal work |
| 6 Feb 18 / Opera Today |
Toby Spence is the perfect Gandhi |
| 6 Feb 18 / Independent |
The images and icons that the Improbable team create with the simplest materials are astonishing |
| 5 Feb 18 / The Times |
Remarkable, thought-provoking Satyagraha from ENO |
| 5 Feb 18 / Seen and Heard |
When the Glass feels half full |
| 5 Feb 18 / Telegraph |
As mesmerising as ever |
| 3 Feb 18 / Financial Times |
Phelim McDermott’s staging of Philip Glass’ Gandhi opera once again provides an unforgettable experience |
| 3 Feb 18 / The Stage |
Philip Glass's Gandhi opera is revived by English National Opera for the third time |
| 3 Feb 18 / What's on Stage |
Toby Spence brings off the potent force of Gandhi’s non-violent personality patiently and skilfully |
| 3 Feb 18 / Classical Source |
MarnieEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 22 | |
Hitch free |
| 29 Nov 17 / The Critics' Circle |
Création mondiale de Marnie au London Coliseum |
| 24 Nov 17 / Opera Online (French) |
Marnie, création mondiale de Nico Muhly à l'ENO |
| 23 Nov 17 / ResMusica |
more reviews [+]
This production by Broadway veteran Michael Mayer, making his first entry into opera, is outstanding |
| 22 Nov 17 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
A new large-scale opera from ENO in a distinguished staging by Michael Mayer |
| 21 Nov 17 / What's on Stage |
Muhly's Marnie fails to find the drama of Winston Graham's novel |
| 21 Nov 17 / Bachtrack |
Where Marnie is an unqualified triumph is in its direction and sets |
| 21 Nov 17 / Opera Today |
Elina Makropoulos chez Hitchcock |
| 21 Nov 17 / Forum Opéra |
Nico Muhly’s Marnie for ENO returns to England and loses the plot |
| 21 Nov 17 / Seen and Heard |
An uneasy and uneven transition to the stage |
| 21 Nov 17 / Independent |
A psychological maze at English National Opera |
| 21 Nov 17 / Financial Times |
Muhly's operatic thriller sounds great but lacks the twists and turns of Hitchcock's iconic film version |
| 21 Nov 17 / Time Out |
Well-intentioned remake falls short of Hitchcock’s thriller |
| 21 Nov 17 / Evening Standard |
Grand dramatic sweep and an elusive heroine |
| 20 Nov 17 / Planet Hugill |
Nico Muhly's 'Marnie' brings Hitchcock into the 21st century |
| 20 Nov 17 / New York Times |
Hyped new opera doesn’t hit the heights |
| 20 Nov 17 / The Arts Desk |
Marnie’s music-generating potential is undeniable, but Muhly hasn’t quite distilled her tragedy and detachment |
| 20 Nov 17 / Classical Source |
Disappointingly, it lacks the necessary engagement and thrill to make it a classic |
| 20 Nov 17 / Broadway World |
Nico Muhly’s new opera is an outstanding achievement and a major success for its composer and ENO |
| 20 Nov 17 / The Stage |
Nico Muhly's psycho thriller sounds beautiful but fails to thrill |
| 20 Nov 17 / The Guardian |
If you've seen Hitchcock's Marnie then this ENO adaptation will only disappoint you |
| 20 Nov 17 / Telegraph |
Despite some fine singing, Nico Muhly’s new opera about a troubled kleptomaniac is turgid and untheatrical |
| 20 Nov 17 / The Times |
RodelindaEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 13 | |
Under baroque specialist Christian Curnyn, the orchestra of ENO plays Rodelinda’s sublime score to perfection |
| 5 Nov 17 / Express |
Richard Jones' Rodelinda given a strong revival by ENO |
| 3 Nov 17 / The Opera Critic |
A terrific performance under the baton of Christian Curnyn, deservedly cheered by the audience |
| 1 Nov 17 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
more reviews [+]
Rebecca Evans as Rodelinda delivers her solos with consummate control |
| 31 Oct 17 / Independent |
One of those evenings at the opera which sends everyone away smiling |
| 31 Oct 17 / Express |
Rebecca Evans’s impassioned voice of many colours perfectly suits Rodelinda’s wide-ranging music |
| 31 Oct 17 / The Times |
The production might be designed for those who dislike Handel opera, but the performances are astonishing |
| 30 Oct 17 / Planet Hugill |
Richard Jones's Rodelinda returns to ENO |
| 30 Oct 17 / Opera Today |
Musical triumph beset by problematic staging |
| 30 Oct 17 / Seen and Heard |
ENO revives Richard Jones's 2014 production with an outstanding cast |
| 28 Oct 17 / What's on Stage |
A remarkably inventive, often dark yet entertaining staging |
| 28 Oct 17 / Classical Source |
A Rodelinda to be applauded warmly |
| 28 Oct 17 / Telegraph |
Top-notch cast embrace dark vision of Handel |
| 28 Oct 17 / The Guardian |
AidaEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 18 | |
Neuproduktion von Verdis Aida an der English National Opera |
| 30 Oct 17 / Oper Aktuell |
Variable evening but delivers the goods musically |
| 9 Oct 17 / Express |
Reviews search
Performance schedule
Puccini
26 Sep to 19 Oct 2024
Puccini
27 Sep 2024
Britten
11 to 31 Oct 2024
Verdi
30 Oct to 21 Nov 2024
Donizetti
15 Nov to 5 Dec 2024
Gilbert & Sullivan
2 Dec 2024 to 21 Feb 2025
Mozart
5 to 22 Feb 2025
Musgrave
15 to 18 Feb 2025
News & Articles
| English National Opera announces Jenny Mollica as new Chief Executive |
The company's interim CEO is made permanent, coming from her role in Director of Strategy and Engagement. |
| 22 May 2024 / Gramophone |
| English National Opera 2024/25: new stagings and old favourites |
Lots of Puccini in the year that marks the centenary of his death, plus Verdi, Mozart, Gilbert and Sullivan, Britten and more. |
| 16 May 2024 / CultureWhisper |
| English National Opera musicians call off strike action |
ENO will now revise plans that triggered dispute, after negotiations with Musicians’ Union. |
| 16 Feb 2024 / The Guardian |
| English National Opera musicians and chorus suspend strike |
Musicians at the English National Opera (ENO) have called off a strike over pay and conditions, the performing arts union Equity has said. |
| 30 Jan 2024 / BBC News |
| English National Opera employees to strike over cuts |
Underfunding of Manchester move blamed as Musicians’ Union announces first full strike in 44 years. |
| 18 Jan 2024 / The Guardian |
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