English National Opera Unveils Initial Manchester Plans

The English National Opera (ENO) has unveiled its initial productions and strategic plans for Manchester, following its mandated relocation from London. This prestigious opera company was controversially directed in 2022 to depart the capital or forfeit its annual £12 million subsidy from Arts Council England. This directive formed part of an initiative aimed at “level up” arts funding. The ENO has now stated its intention to be “firmly established” within Greater Manchester by the year 2029. However, the company will commence its operations in the city earlier, with productions scheduled at the Lowry, Bridgewater Hall, and Aviva Studios starting in 2025. Additionally, there are plans for a large-scale singing project involving local grassroots football teams. The company’s announcements include: The ENO will also establish a new Greater Manchester Youth Opera Company for individuals aged 13 to 16, alongside creating a program designed to foster “new voices and stories in opera”. The football initiative, named Perfect Pitch, aims to “explore the impact that mass singing has on team performance and spectator experience,” according to the company. Annilese Miskimmon, ENO artistic director, stated that this relocation would initiate “a bold and confident future for opera in the UK”. Jenny Mollica, chief executive, remarked that Greater Manchester represents “a region of limitless creative possibilities,” enabling the company to “explore new visions for the future of opera.” She further explained that the productions presented in Manchester would encompass a spectrum from “larger scale traditional opera to more experimental work to more intimate and chamber work,” thereby allowing the company to engage “a wider range of audiences.” These announcements come after two years of internal upheaval for the company, which began when the relocation demand was issued. Initially, the Arts Council had indicated it would effectively reduce the ENO’s grant by half, even if the company consented to move, and set a relocation deadline of 2026. However, the Arts Council has since supplied additional funding and prolonged the deadline. The ENO’s initial hesitation to accept the relocation proposal prompted Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to state to them: “If you can’t come willingly, don’t come at all.” During a launch event held on Thursday, Mayor Burnham acknowledged that the relationship between the company and the city had “got off to an awkward or even mildly disastrous first date,” but affirmed that the ENO had demonstrated its desire to be present. “It was clear there was a meeting of minds and a partnership that’s going to work for both sides,” he conveyed to BBC News. This period of upheaval has resulted in the ENO implementing cuts to its London-based orchestra and chorus. Earlier this year, members issued strike threats concerning proposals to declare them all redundant and subsequently re-employ them for six months annually. Martyn Brabbins, the company’s music director, resigned in protest against these cuts. The strike was ultimately cancelled after the company consented to seven-month contracts. Despite relocating its headquarters, the company intends to maintain annual seasons at its existing venue, the London Coliseum. Both the chorus and orchestra are slated to perform in London and Manchester, and the company plans to collaborate with Manchester-based ensembles such as the Halle Orchestra and BBC Philharmonic, as well as local freelance musicians. Naomi Pohl, general secretary of the Musicians’ Union, commented that it was “certainly positive to see the artistic vision coming through in the announcement from ENO and we wish to see them flourish and grow”. She also expressed approval for the continued presence at the London Coliseum, adding that she would “keep an eye on the impact of ENO’s work in Manchester on companies that already perform with musicians in that space”. Opera North, based in Leeds, presently tours to various venues, including the Lowry. “Music is a delicate and complex ecosystem,” Pohl further stated. “Opera and ballet are under particular strain at the present time due to funding pressures and we are fighting to maintain full time jobs and pay.” Paul Fleming, general secretary of the arts union Equity, concurred that new opera productions and engagement programs in Manchester were positive developments, but remarked that “it falls short of a season at the scale audiences deserve”. He elaborated: “Although the proposed innovative work will reach those who have not previously engaged with opera before, it does not offer the scale of production or stability of engagement that would lead to the protection and creation of secure jobs for the opera workforce.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external sites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.