English National Opera - London | 28 March 2024 |
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Performance reviews
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Die Tote StadtEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 16 |
This production doesn’t quite have the cinematic sweep to blur the lines between fact and fantasy |
28 Mar 23 / Opera Today |
Mesmerising |
28 Mar 23 / The Stage |
Korngold's extravagant opera The Dead City staged in style by ENO |
28 Mar 23 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
A rare and impressive staging of the early masterwork by a Hollywood composer |
27 Mar 23 / CultureWhisper |
Study of grief, guilt and obsession unsettles and enraptures |
27 Mar 23 / The Guardian |
An arresting new production of Korngold's operatic meditation on melancholy |
27 Mar 23 / Broadway World |
associated articles [+]
‘I fear we are losing a whole generation of talent’
As she stages a new production of The Dead City, Korngold’s wild opera banned by the Nazis, English National Opera’s artistic director Annilese Miskimmon talks about the company’s strong present and uncertain future.
As she stages a new production of The Dead City, Korngold’s wild opera banned by the Nazis, English National Opera’s artistic director Annilese Miskimmon talks about the company’s strong present and uncertain future.
AkhnatenEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 9 |
Akhnaten is absolutely unmissable at ‘national treasure’ ENO |
3 Apr 23 / Seen and Heard |
Philip Glass’ Akhnaten returns to the London Coliseum stage for its second revival |
2 Apr 23 / The Opera Critic |
English National Opera’s Akhnaten could hardly be bettered at the London Coliseum |
26 Mar 23 / Opera Online (English) |
more reviews [+]
Le soleil d’Akhnaten de retour à Londres |
25 Mar 23 / Olyrix |
A philosopher king of Egypt at the ENO |
22 Mar 23 / The Article |
Startlingly modern and troubling production with spectacular imagery and stagecraft |
21 Mar 23 / The Stage |
Breaking rules – creating magic |
21 Mar 23 / London Unattached |
Akhnaten still compels at English National Opera |
20 Mar 23 / Opera Today |
An epic revival destined to become a modern classic |
20 Mar 23 / Broadway World |
Das RheingoldEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 16 |
L’Or du Rhin ou les vestiges d’une Tétralogie à l’English National Opera |
21 Mar 23 / Olyrix |
Wotan en pelotas |
20 Mar 23 / Mundo Clásico (Spanish) |
The Rhinegold plays it fairly straight and safe, having nothing much new to add to Wagner Ring mythology |
9 Mar 23 / Opera Journal |
more reviews [+]
The jackpot of opera |
5 Mar 23 / The Critic |
Wagner’s masterpiece, with added bling |
4 Mar 23 / Reaction |
The ENO’s updated Ring cycle is really starting to shine |
26 Feb 23 / The Observer |
John Relyea cuts an authoritative figure as Wotan |
25 Feb 23 / LondonTheatre1 |
English National Opera’s The Rhinegold is fresh, fun and a little far fetched |
22 Feb 23 / Opera Online (English) |
A hallmark of Jones’s staging is the clarity of its narration |
22 Feb 23 / Opera Today |
A razzle-dazzle production of Wagner's opera shows the company at its best, musically and dramatically |
21 Feb 23 / CultureWhisper |
ENO’s The Rhinegold is not to be missed despite questions about Richard Jones’s concept |
21 Feb 23 / Seen and Heard |
Musically, standards are far better honed and consistent |
21 Feb 23 / Classical Source |
Sky-high musical standards |
21 Feb 23 / The Stage |
Lucid in music and narrative: ENO and Richard Jones’ The Rhinegold |
21 Feb 23 / Bachtrack |
ENO strikes Wagnerian gold |
21 Feb 23 / London Unattached |
Witty and insightful, Jones’s production delivers an emphatic win for ENO |
20 Feb 23 / The Guardian |
GlorianaEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 6 |
ENO stages a remarkable rarity |
20 Jan 23 / The Spectator |
No weak link in the cast as ENO comes together as a company for Britten’s Gloriana |
19 Dec 22 / Seen and Heard |
ENO’s one-off revival of Britten’s restless coronation opera is a triumph |
18 Dec 22 / The Observer |
more reviews [+]
This was ENO on top form |
15 Dec 22 / Classical Source |
Superb singing and smart staging illuminate Britten’s coronation opera |
10 Dec 22 / The Guardian |
The second Elizabethan age receives a noble tribute from the first in ENO's Gloriana |
10 Dec 22 / Bachtrack |
It's a Wonderful LifeEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 9 |
Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer’s festive yarn goes for all the fuzzy feelings |
6 Dec 22 / OperaWire |
English National Opera’s It’s a Wonderful Life brings a touch of Christmas magic to the London Coliseum |
30 Nov 22 / Opera Online (English) |
Can Frank Capra’s ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ give hope to ENO? |
29 Nov 22 / The Article |
more reviews [+]
Life is (too) sweet: ENO brings It's a Wonderful Life to the operatic stage |
29 Nov 22 / Bachtrack |
In the orchestra pit, Nicole Paiement made her ENO debut, conducting an immaculate and well-balanced band |
29 Nov 22 / London Unattached |
Operatic adaptation is on the side of the angels |
28 Nov 22 / The Guardian |
Jake Heggie's 2016 opera based on Frank Capra's 1946 film has much to say about theatre, and life, today |
28 Nov 22 / Broadway World |
Heggie and Scheer certainly go all out to hymn the goodness of the common folk |
28 Nov 22 / Opera Today |
Capra’s sharp-edged sentiment smothered in endless schmaltz |
27 Nov 22 / The Arts Desk |
The Yeomen of the GuardEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 8 |
The sad clown and the ingenue |
21 Nov 22 / Planet Hugill |
ENO stands firm amid extreme funding cuts with a Gilbert and Sullivan staging full of vim and vigour |
13 Nov 22 / The Observer |
English National Opera presents a new production of The Yeomen of the Guard |
13 Nov 22 / Opera Online (English) |
more reviews [+]
ENO has the success it needed |
13 Nov 22 / iNews |
Gilbert & Sullivan Beefeaters triumph at the ENO |
9 Nov 22 / The Article |
Gilbert & Sullivan flourish at the Coliseum |
8 Nov 22 / London Unattached |
Updated to 1953, and with an Aussie Elsie, this good-looking production misses too many opportunities |
7 Nov 22 / Limelight |
Tonal uncertainties but G&S update has plenty to enjoy |
5 Nov 22 / The Guardian |
ToscaEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 16 |
Overall a first class production |
27 Oct 22 / London News Online |
This Tosca is superb, and a win for English language opera |
22 Oct 22 / Reaction |
Pity and terror - a powerful, moving adaptation of Puccini |
15 Oct 22 / The Critic |
more reviews [+]
Sinéad Campbell-Wallace shines in Christof Loy’s insightful production |
11 Oct 22 / OperaWire |
Christof Loy digs for psychological depth in ENO’s time-shifting new Puccini production |
9 Oct 22 / The Observer |
English National Opera launched its new season with grand opera grandly staged |
9 Oct 22 / Classical Source |
Twists and tweaks abound in Christof Loy’s new well cast Tosca for ENO |
6 Oct 22 / Seen and Heard |
The Diva gets her revenge in St Martin’s Lane |
4 Oct 22 / London Unattached |
ENO's new Tosca has conceptual flaws, but delivers on the music |
4 Oct 22 / Bachtrack |
Christof Loy presents a new production of Tosca at the London Coliseum |
3 Oct 22 / Opera Online (English) |
Loy's production is visually lavish and combines theatrical grandeur with metatheatrical playfulness |
3 Oct 22 / Opera Today |
Theatrical grandeur |
3 Oct 22 / Planet Hugill |
Christof Loy’s production is immediate and inspiring |
3 Oct 22 / Evening Standard |
Dramatic, erotic and musical perfection |
3 Oct 22 / The Article |
Gloriously sung and full of grand passion, this is gripping theatre |
2 Oct 22 / The Guardian |
Powerful singing and playing, but mixed historical periods mute the drama |
1 Oct 22 / The Arts Desk |
associated articles [+]
English National Opera give ‘defiant’ curtain call
The main cast of ENO’s ‘Tosca’ appeared on stage at the end of the performance wearing t-shirts that read ‘Choose Opera’ in response to the Arts Council England funding decision from earlier that day.
The main cast of ENO’s ‘Tosca’ appeared on stage at the end of the performance wearing t-shirts that read ‘Choose Opera’ in response to the Arts Council England funding decision from earlier that day.
The Handmaid's TaleEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 11 |
Kate Lindsey produces a role dominating performance as The Handmaid |
24 Apr 22 / OperaWire |
Strong performances offset the misery in ENO’s new production of Poul Ruders’s opera |
17 Apr 22 / The Observer |
Hopelessness runs through the story like a muddy stream |
14 Apr 22 / Church Times |
more reviews [+]
A stark and effective production of The Handmaid’s Tale at the London Coliseum |
14 Apr 22 / Opera Online (English) |
A muddled musical fable of misogyny |
13 Apr 22 / The Article |
Brilliant new production of Poul Ruders’s The Handmaid’s Tale at English National Opera |
13 Apr 22 / Seen and Heard |
A stomach-turningly horrifying Margaret Atwood adaptation |
12 Apr 22 / iNews |
ENO’s production of Atwood’s dystopia is chilling but slow to convince |
11 Apr 22 / The Guardian |
The eclectic score is driven forward with ceaseless dynamism |
11 Apr 22 / Opera Today |
Overwhelming power in Annilese Miskimmon's new production of Poul Ruders's opera |
10 Apr 22 / The Arts Desk |
A topical tale: Gilead returns to the Coliseum stage |
10 Apr 22 / Bachtrack |
associated articles [+]
Exploring Gilead is ‘more important than ever'
The Handmaid’s Tale comes to the English National Opera.
The Handmaid’s Tale comes to the English National Opera.
‘I believe in making opera ordinary’
English National Opera’s artistic director Annilese Miskimmon on her new production of The Handmaid's Tale based on Margaret Atwood’s classic – and why things are changing for women in opera.
English National Opera’s artistic director Annilese Miskimmon on her new production of The Handmaid's Tale based on Margaret Atwood’s classic – and why things are changing for women in opera.
Così fan tutteEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 5 |
ENO’s Così fan tutte is undeniably entertaining in a sort of overload-like way |
21 Mar 22 / Seen and Heard |
First revival of Phelim McDermott’s Così fan tutte at the London Coliseum |
21 Mar 22 / Opera Online (English) |
Laughing with Mozart |
19 Mar 22 / Express |
more reviews [+]
This candyfloss show lacks substance |
16 Mar 22 / iNews |
Elegant and fleet |
16 Mar 22 / The Stage |
The Cunning Little VixenEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 11 |
A stylish and arresting new production from Jamie Manton |
2 Mar 22 / OperaWire |
Janáček’s music holds court at ENO |
27 Feb 22 / The Observer |
Sally Matthews shone in the title role, her bell-like soprano emotionally adaptive to a variety of situations |
26 Feb 22 / Opera Today |
more reviews [+]
Phantasmagoria as Man is pitted against Nature in ENO’s new The Cunning Little Vixen |
25 Feb 22 / Seen and Heard |
Cluttered, confused and a little bit dull |
24 Feb 22 / iNews |
An ill-conceived production at the Coliseum disappoints |
24 Feb 22 / Music OMH |
Jamie Manton’s new production of The Cunning Little Vixen at the London Coliseum |
23 Feb 22 / Opera Online (English) |
A fine tail: new Cunning Little Vixen at English National Opera |
23 Feb 22 / Bachtrack |
Exquisite beauty in the music of Janaček’s Vixen |
23 Feb 22 / The Article |
Colourful staging takes Janáček’s opera to the dark side |
22 Feb 22 / The Guardian |
Lack of pace and focus can’t sink Janáček’s paean to the natural order |
22 Feb 22 / The Arts Desk |
La bohèmeEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 10 |
Nadine Benjamin triumphs in ENO’s La bohème |
21 Feb 22 / Opera Today |
Jonathan Miller’s production of Puccini’s La bohème returns to ENO |
11 Feb 22 / Classical Source |
La bohème returns to ENO |
9 Feb 22 / Opera Today |
more reviews [+]
Irish Mimi’s debut in ‘La Bohème’ leaves not a dry eye at the Coliseum |
9 Feb 22 / The Article |
Fifth Revival of Jonathan Miller’s La bohème at the London Coliseum |
8 Feb 22 / Opera Online (English) |
Jonathan Miller's production of Puccini's La bohème is in fine fettle as it returns to the London Coliseum |
7 Feb 22 / Planet Hugill |
English National Opera’s expertly revived, strongly sung and fluidly conducted La bohème |
5 Feb 22 / Seen and Heard |
A captivating, playful performance with the orchestra on superb form |
4 Feb 22 / The Stage |
If you don’t leave an emotional wreck, there’s something wrong |
4 Feb 22 / iNews |
Chilly revival of Jonathan Miller's Bohème at English National Opera |
4 Feb 22 / Bachtrack |
Die WalküreEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 15 |
Walkiria sin Loge |
15 Dec 21 / Mundo Clásico (Spanish) |
Many of the great set pieces of this opera fell flat |
2 Dec 21 / Opera Journal |
The ENO orchestra under Martyn Brabbins really got its aggregated teeth into this score |
30 Nov 21 / The Critics' Circle |
more reviews [+]
Richard Jones directs this new, his third, staging, and it is a provocative one |
24 Nov 21 / Classical Source |
The pride of the Valkyries meets municipal bureaucracy |
24 Nov 21 / The Article |
Matthew Rose leads a terrific cast but ENO’s staging lacks fire |
23 Nov 21 / iNews |
Tamped down pyrotechnics aside, this new Ring looks promising |
23 Nov 21 / Evening Standard |
ENO’s Die Walküre is hobbled by a half-hearted production |
23 Nov 21 / Seen and Heard |
A long awaited but disappointing Valkyrie by the ENO |
23 Nov 21 / Music OMH |
A striking, uneven start to ENO’s Ring cycle |
22 Nov 21 / The Guardian |
The Met Opera’s next ‘Ring’ will be a sea change |
22 Nov 21 / New York Times |
A hollow-hearted new co-production with the Met gets off to a standing start |
22 Nov 21 / Limelight |
The Valkyrie heralds the start of a new Ring Cycle at the London Coliseum |
22 Nov 21 / Opera Online (English) |
Richard Jones’ second London Ring falters at the first fence |
21 Nov 21 / Bachtrack |
Fitfully flickering flames |
21 Nov 21 / The Arts Desk |
associated articles [+]
‘About as big as it gets’
Behind the scenes of Wagner’s The Valkyrie at English National Opera.
Behind the scenes of Wagner’s The Valkyrie at English National Opera.
The stakes are sky-high for a ‘Ring’ coming to the Met Opera
For Richard Jones, the director of a staging that will open in London and later travel to New York, this is a third attempt at Wagner’s epic.
For Richard Jones, the director of a staging that will open in London and later travel to New York, this is a third attempt at Wagner’s epic.
SatyagrahaEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 11 |
There is plenty to enjoy in McDermott's staging |
11 Nov 21 / Opera Journal |
A spectacular realization of Phillip Glass’ political meditation on the life of Gandhi |
20 Oct 21 / OperaWire |
Glass’ operas are unlike anything else |
20 Oct 21 / Brinkwire |
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Performance schedule
News & Articles
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 |
English National Opera members to vote on strike action |
Equity union says chorus members will vote in early January on whether to act over plans to cut salaries by 40%. |
22 Dec 2023 / The Guardian |
ENO announces Greater Manchester will be its new home |
The company, which had a shortlist of five cities, had been told funding was dependent on leaving London. |
6 Dec 2023 / The Guardian |