English National Opera has revealed a two thousand twenty-three/twenty-four season with nine productions after a “challenging” year. The Handmaid’s Tale, based on the Margaret Atwood book of the same name, The Magic Flute and Bela Bartok’s Duke Bluebeard’s Castle are among the work being keep on by the opera company. The Arts Council England (ACE) had announced plans in Nov to delete ENO as a national portfolio organisation.
The public body proposed that ENO get a £17 million grant over three years but only if it relocates exterior of London, with a move to Manchester suggested. In April, it was announced that the opera company would get funding of up to £24 million ACE maintain a relocation. Annilese Miskimmon, artistic director of the ENO, said: “This past season has been challenging following the Arts Council’s removal of the ENO’s NPO status but also incredibly rewarding with sell-out, critically acclaimed productions across a enormous breadth of repertoire.
“We are thrilled that sixty-four percent of our audience has been new to the ENO – the highest recorded in the latest six years – including record numbers of under-35 and under-twenty-one attendees.” ACE previously said the funding had been granted to “sustain a programme of work at the ENO’s home, the London Coliseum” and at the same time “help the ENO start planning for a new base exterior London by 2026”. The latest ENO season also sees the UK premiere of seven Deaths Of Maria Callas director and performance artist Marina Abramovic after shows in Germany, France and Italy. It explores the life, work and death of American-Greek soprano Callas who died in one thousand nine hundred seventy-seventh. It'll also re-stage Duke Bluebeard’s Castle – which tells the shadowy legend of the latest wife of a noble – after fifteen years, along with reviving Gilbert and Sullivan satirical fantasy Iolanthe, Olivier Award-winning romantic tragedy La Traviata and David Alden’s psychological drama Peter Grimes. Futuristic dystopian legend The Handmaid’s Tale – which made its opera debut with Ms Miskimmon’s production latest year and has previously seen a series and a film adaption – is also returning as mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey takes on the role of Offred yet again.
Also making a arrive back are Gioachino Rossini’s comedy The Barber Of Seville, first staged in one thousand nine hundred eighty-seventh, Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Olivier Award-winning production of Leos Janacek’s family drama Jenufa – which is being conducted by the music director of the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra, Keri-Lynn Wilson. Ms Miskimmon said: “We have curated this season to delight our ENO regulars and newcomers alike with the return of elderly and new favourites that highlight the drama, beauty and emotion of this fascinating art form. “It is a enormous privilege to work with such exciting talent on stage, in the pit, and behind the scenes.”
Peter Grimes opens the latest season September twenty-one to October eleven two thousand twenty-three and Duke Bluebeard’s Castle closes it March 21 to twenty-three two thousand twenty-four.
