(Photo credit: Richard Hubert Smith)

Robin Norton-Hale, the General Director of the English Touring Opera (ETO), has unveiled the company’s upcoming season and launched a multiple digital events, and educational initiatives.

Beginning the position in January of this year, Notron-Hale introduced several fundamental changes to expand ETO’s work. These initiatives will feature multi-disciplinary programming, revamped repertoire, commissioned English translations of librettos, digital commissions, and learning and participation work within schools and the community.

Norton-Hale said in a press release, “The changing landscape of opera in England means that ETO’s work is more vital than ever. We want to bring the thrilling experience of opera to the widest possible audience, showing that this centuries-old but ever-evolving artform can speak to – and sing about – the world we live in now.”

The 2023-24 season breaks down as such.

First up is Monteverdi’s “The Coronation of Poppea” starring Jessica Cale, Feargal Mostyn-Williams,  Kezia Bienek, Martha Jones,  Elizabeth Karani, Trevor Eliot Bowes, Amy J Payne, and Keith Pun, among others. Robin Norton-Hale directs a production conducted by Yshani Perinpanayagam.

Tour Dates:

 September 30, 2023 – London, Hackney Empire
October 13, 2023 – Leamington Spa, Royal Spa Centre
October 17, 2023 – Norwich, Norwich Theatre Royal
October 20 , 2023 – Saffron Walden, Saffron Hall
October 27, 2023 – Snape, Snape Maltings
November 3, 2023 – Buxton, Buxton Opera House
November 10,  2023 – Exeter, Exeter Northcott Theatre
November 15,  2023 – Poole, Lighthouse

Next up is “La Cenerentola” starring Esme Bronwen-Smith, Joseph Doody, Edward Hawkins, Edmund Danon, and Arshak Kuzikyan. Naomi Woo conducts and Jenny Ogilvie directs.

Tour Dates:

October 7, 2023 – London, Hackney Empire
October 12 & 14, 2023 – Leamington Spa, Royal Spa Centre
October 16, 2023 – Norwich, Norwich Theatre Royal
October 21,  2023 – Saffron Walden, Saffron Hall
October 26 & 28, 2023 – Snape, Snape Maltings
November 2 & 4, 2023 – Buxton, Buxton Opera House
November 8 & 11, 2023 – Exeter, Exeter Northcott Theatre
November 14, 2023 – Poole, Lighthouse

There will also be productions of Stravinsky’s “The Rake’s Progress” and Puccini’s “Manon Lescaut” in Spring 2024 with full dates and casts set to be announced at a later date.