| English National Opera - London | 19 May 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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Noye's FluddeEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 7 | |
An engaging production of Noye’s Fludde offers considerably more than the sum of its parts |
 6 Jul 19 / Seen and Heard |
Two-by-two in Stratford East: Britten's Noye's Fludde on location |
| 5 Jul 19 / Bachtrack |
Lucky Stratford East to have such resources, talent and ambition in its midst |
| 5 Jul 19 / Metro |
Hansel und GretelEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Midsummer may seem an odd time for a pantomime, but this production really works |
| 21 Jun 19 / Express |
ENO take fairytale opera and fly with it |
| 19 Jun 19 / The Guardian |
An enchanting Hansel and Gretel at Regent's Park Theatre |
| 19 Jun 19 / Opera Today |
more reviews [+]
ENO and the Open Air Theatre join forces for a lip-smacking Hansel and Gretel |
| 19 Jun 19 / Bachtrack |
A magical evening at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre |
| 19 Jun 19 / Classical Source |
Dido and AeneasEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Dido for generation Z |
| 19 May 19 / The Observer |
A fuzzy update of Purcell’s opera for a younger audience |
| 16 May 19 / The Stage |
Purcell's Queen comes over all Bridget Jones in incoherent staging |
| 16 May 19 / The Guardian |
more reviews [+]
Purcell's opera renamed and relocated by ENO and the Unicorn Theatre |
| 16 May 19 / Bachtrack |
associated articles [+]
Opera's Dido
From Queen of Carthage to single mum in Bermondsey.
From Queen of Carthage to single mum in Bermondsey.
Paul BunyanEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
A very up-market pantomime |
| 17 May 19 / Express |
ENO’s Paul Bunyan is a magnificent, hugely entertaining evening |
| 16 May 19 / Seen and Heard |
The cast is extremely strong |
| 12 May 19 / Music OMH |
more reviews [+]
Paul Bunyan is a strange hybrid of a piece |
| 11 May 19 / Classical Source |
Singing animals, heroic lumberjacks, pure melody and riotous entertainment in ENO's Paul Bunyan |
| 11 May 19 / Bachtrack |
Jack the RipperEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 12 | |
Vocally it’s an operatic perfect storm |
| 6 Apr 19 / Metro |
ENO’s Jack the Ripper: The Women of Whitechapel gets lost in the Whitechapel maze |
| 6 Apr 19 / Seen and Heard |
ENO's Jack the Ripper needs to decide if it wants to be a gore-fest or social history |
| 4 Apr 19 / The Spectator |
more reviews [+]
A new opera tells the stories of Jack the Ripper’s victims |
| 2 Apr 19 / The Economist |
A crucial corrective that fails to match its ambition |
| 2 Apr 19 / Independent |
An impressive achievement |
| 2 Apr 19 / Evening Standard |
The casting of this production is absolutely first rate and redeems a production which splinters too often |
| 2 Apr 19 / Opera Today |
Iain Bell's new opera for ENO |
| 2 Apr 19 / Bachtrack |
An important addition to the operatic repertoire |
| 1 Apr 19 / Classical Source |
Draining the life out of a full-blooded story |
| 1 Apr 19 / Telegraph |
Murder victims refuse to come to life |
| 1 Apr 19 / The Guardian |
A limited achievement |
| 1 Apr 19 / The Stage |
associated articles [+]
The opera bringing dignity back to Jack the Ripper's victims
In The Women of Whitechapel, it is not the serial killer who’s the star, but three generations of formidable ENO singing talent evoking colourful lives in the slum streets he stalked.
In The Women of Whitechapel, it is not the serial killer who’s the star, but three generations of formidable ENO singing talent evoking colourful lives in the slum streets he stalked.
Die ZauberflöteEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 8 | |
McBurney has turned a great Mozart opera into something even greater |
| 23 Mar 19 / Express |
A Magic Flute for our times |
| 20 Mar 19 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
ENO’s production of The Magic Flute feels like a surprisingly contemporary and immersive experience |
| 19 Mar 19 / Gay Times |
more reviews [+]
Simon McBurney's Magic Flute makes a joyous return to ENO |
| 19 Mar 19 / Bachtrack |
Fine singing is the best feature of ENO’s Magic Flute revival |
| 18 Mar 19 / Seen and Heard |
A strong cast in a highly engaging revival of Mozart's The Magic Flute from Simon McBurney, ENO & Complicité |
| 18 Mar 19 / Planet Hugill |
Simon McBurney’s production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute is quite the Gesamtkunstwerk |
| 16 Mar 19 / Classical Source |
Extraordinary revival conjures bond between performers and audience |
| 16 Mar 19 / Independent |
AkhnatenEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 12 | |
In terms of musical and singing performances it was right on the mark |
| 14 Mar 19 / Opera Journal |
One of the best things ENO has done for ages |
| 20 Feb 19 / Express |
ENO’s Akhnaten a mesmerising revival of Philip Glass opera |
| 14 Feb 19 / Gay Times |
more reviews [+]
The casting of this production is superb |
| 14 Feb 19 / Opera Today |
Phelim McDermott’s production of Philip Glass’s Akhnaten makes a welcome return to the Coliseum |
| 13 Feb 19 / Classical Source |
Philip Glass’s flight into Egypt is a slow, sensuous and glittering opera |
| 13 Feb 19 / Evening Standard |
Glass's pharaoh casts his spell once more |
| 13 Feb 19 / The Guardian |
Fabulously beautiful staging of a decidedly pretentious opera |
| 13 Feb 19 / Telegraph |
ENO’s triumphant Akhnaten revival shrouds audiences in minimalism and provides balm |
| 13 Feb 19 / Seen and Heard |
A visually extraordinary staging |
| 13 Feb 19 / The Stage |
Mesmerising Akhnaten returns to ENO |
| 13 Feb 19 / Bachtrack |
A meditation on the distant past |
| 13 Feb 19 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
associated articles [+]
Behold, the naked Pharaoh: singing Philip Glass's Akhnaten
You need more than a good voice to sing the countertenor role of the sun-worshipping Egyptian leader. But it’s changed Anthony Roth Costanzo's life
You need more than a good voice to sing the countertenor role of the sun-worshipping Egyptian leader. But it’s changed Anthony Roth Costanzo's life
Die Lustige WitweEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 14 | |
ENO have had the courage to bring the tale up to date in glorious fashion |
| 13 Mar 19 / Express |
What a messy widow |
| 13 Mar 19 / Daily Mail |
Sarah Tynan’s star turn in The Merry Widow lifts a panto-style production let down by smutty jokes |
| 11 Mar 19 / The Observer |
more reviews [+]
A Widow without allure |
| 6 Mar 19 / The Article |
Vienna goes to Broadway for ENO's Merry Widow |
| 5 Mar 19 / Bachtrack |
The Merry Widow is a glorious and coarse love story |
| 5 Mar 19 / Londonist |
Piss poor |
| 4 Mar 19 / The Critics' Circle |
Glamorous, gaudy romcom with subversive spirit |
| 4 Mar 19 / The Guardian |
Topical ENO production that brings the house down |
| 4 Mar 19 / Independent |
Dancing beavers give ENO’s new The Merry Widow ooh la la! |
| 4 Mar 19 / Seen and Heard |
A sparkling Merry Widow at ENO |
| 4 Mar 19 / Opera Today |
A sparkling new production which brings an element of farce to the comedy, but seems not yet quite in focus |
| 4 Mar 19 / Planet Hugill |
With this Merry Widow ENO has a potential hit on its hands |
| 3 Mar 19 / Classical Source |
It is in the orchestra pit that the real star of Max Webster’s new take on The Merry Widow resides |
| 3 Mar 19 / The Reviews Hub |
War RequiemEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 12 | |
A thoughtful production by ENO's artistic director Daniel Kramer |
| 13 Dec 18 / Express |
Sobre héroes y tumbas |
| 3 Dec 18 / Mundo Clásico (Spanish) |
Kramer’s vision and Tilmans’s unforgettable photography create a powerful War Requiem |
| 21 Nov 18 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
Inspiration eludes Kramer in Britten's War Requiem at English National Opera |
| 20 Nov 18 / Bachtrack |
Staging Britten's War Requiem |
| 20 Nov 18 / Opera Today |
This tale of suffering and the struggle to understand the reason for it was superb |
| 20 Nov 18 / Independent |
Staging Britten's choral masterpiece brings uncertain rewards |
| 20 Nov 18 / The Guardian |
A mesmerising performance |
| 20 Nov 18 / Londonist |
Staging the unstageable, Daniel Kramer and ENO's striking version of Britten's large-scale concert work |
| 19 Nov 18 / Planet Hugill |
ENO's attempt to turn Britten's choral masterpiece into an opera had all the subtlety of a fifth-form school play |
| 19 Nov 18 / Telegraph |
Daniel Kramer directs an unforgettable staging |
| 18 Nov 18 / The Stage |
For all the staging’s moments of visual grandeur, it is sympathetic to the music |
| 17 Nov 18 / Classical Source |
La bohèmeEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 12 | |
ENO’s Bohème is the safe option, the show you take your granny to |
| 6 Dec 18 / The Spectator |
This staging of La Bohème bids a warm welcome to opera newbies |
| 6 Dec 18 / A Younger Theatre |
A stylish La bohème |
| 2 Dec 18 / The Sunday Times |
more reviews [+]
This delightful production of La Bohème is the alternative Christmas show you need |
| 2 Dec 18 / The Reviews Hub |
Jonathan Miller's La bohème returns to the Coliseum |
| 30 Nov 18 / Opera Today |
La Bohème brings a biting Paris winter to life on the London stage |
| 30 Nov 18 / Londonist |
A wonderful evening under the baton of Alexander Joel |
| 28 Nov 18 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
A house debut to savour: Natalya Romaniw soars in revival of ENO's Bohème |
| 28 Nov 18 / Bachtrack |
ENO on top form for welcome resurrection of Miller’s popular La bohème |
| 28 Nov 18 / Seen and Heard |
Surefire revival touches the heights |
| 28 Nov 18 / The Guardian |
Its restraint combines humour, well-defined characterisations and a slow release of emotional tension |
| 28 Nov 18 / Classical Source |
Authoritative staging of a masterpiece that continues to surprise |
| 28 Nov 18 / Telegraph |
Porgy and BessEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 10 | |
Del gheto al cielo con los maestros cantores de Charleston |
| 15 Nov 18 / Mundo Clásico (Spanish) |
A vital and sweeping ‘Porgy and Bess’ debuts in London |
| 29 Oct 18 / New York Times |
ENO’s production restores the majestic brilliance of the full score |
| 21 Oct 18 / The Reviews Hub |
more reviews [+]
Full of good things |
| 15 Oct 18 / Planet Hugill |
Fine ENO cast but as Catfish Row comes to the Coliseum perhaps Porgy and Bess is too ‘traditional’ |
| 15 Oct 18 / Seen and Heard |
With John Wilson, Gershwin's music is the winner at ENO's Porgy and Bess |
| 13 Oct 18 / Bachtrack |
You can almost hear the heat |
| 13 Oct 18 / The Guardian |
Some first-night caution aside, this will shape up to be one of the company’s signature productions |
| 13 Oct 18 / Classical Source |
The chorus are like the best gospel choir you’ve ever heard |
| 13 Oct 18 / The Times |
Knock-out choruses but a hollow core |
| 13 Oct 18 / Telegraph |
Lucia di LammermoorEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 11 | |
A dramatic and musically triumphant mad scene is a highlight of ENO’s Lucia revival |
| 12 Nov 18 / Seen and Heard |
Madness is at the heart of David Alden's production, the only way out for a Lucia controlled equally by brother and lover |
| 5 Nov 18 / Planet Hugill |
We are fortunate to have Sarah Tynan as a superbly well-nuanced and grippingly effective Lucia |
| 31 Oct 18 / Planet Hugill |
more reviews [+]
Amid the gothic horror of ENO’s staging Sarah Tynan is a superb Lucia |
| 30 Oct 18 / The Times |
English National Opera revives Lucia di Lammermoor in chilling style |
| 29 Oct 18 / Bachtrack |
English National Opera have hit pure gold in their third outing of the season |
| 29 Oct 18 / Express |
English National Opera revives Lucia di Lammermoor in chilling style |
| 27 Oct 18 / Bachtrack |
David Alden's fine Lucia returns to ENO |
| 27 Oct 18 / Opera Today |
There is blood, there is thunder, there is incest, sacrifice, death and madness |
| 27 Oct 18 / OperaWire |
A superbly cogent piece of theatre |
| 27 Oct 18 / The Guardian |
A blazing revival of a masterpiece |
| 27 Oct 18 / Telegraph |
SalomeEnglish National OperaNo. of reviews: 20 | |
The musical pleasures were supplemented by some good singing and dramatic performances |
| 18 Oct 18 / Opera Journal |
Losing heads in London |
| 17 Oct 18 / ConcertoNet (English) |
A radically feminist version of the story |
| 12 Oct 18 / Express |
more reviews [+]
If you’re used to installation art, you’ll take to it more readily |
| 9 Oct 18 / The Critics' Circle |
Blood and guts meet street dance and a kinky Santa in a provocative production of Strauss’s opera |
| 7 Oct 18 / The Observer |
ENO’s cast deserved better than this incompetent, incoherent production of Salome |
| 5 Oct 18 / Seen and Heard |
There will be blood in English National Opera’s Salome |
| 4 Oct 18 / San Francisco Classical Voice |
Once-banned opera Salome is back on the London stage |
| 2 Oct 18 / Londonist |
Flogging a dead horse: a new Salome at English National Opera |
| 2 Oct 18 / Bachtrack |
English National Opera's production is psychologically acute but dramaturgically flawed |
| 2 Oct 18 / Evening Standard |
Visually arresting, but decidedly peculiar |
| 1 Oct 18 / The Stage |
A cold-hearted, half-baked conceptual riff on an opera that should leave you shattered |
| 1 Oct 18 / The Times |
Vividly theatrical, lyrically sung, but.... |
| 1 Oct 18 / Planet Hugill |
ENO's Salome both intrigues and bewilders |
| 1 Oct 18 / Opera Today |
Petals, porn and dead ponies give Strauss a feminist reboot |
| 1 Oct 18 / The Guardian |
Inertia kills strong stage pictures, decent singing and a bejewelled orchestra |
| 30 Sep 18 / The Arts Desk |
The excellent cast captures the audience from the start |
| 30 Sep 18 / The Upcoming |
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?
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 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 |
| 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 |
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