TV Presenter Kirsten O’Brien has never been to the opera. Never! So, we’re on a mission to make sure she does.
She’s selected Benjamin Britten’s Billy Budd as her first opera. It’s got a lot going for it as she found out when she went behind the scenes at rehearsals.
Watch, enjoy and share!
courtesy of Guardian online (http://bit.ly/LWHwZj)
Damon Albarn, among other things the multi-talented Blur and Gorillaz frontman, visits the Guardian studio with a baroque ensemble to perform two songs from his opera Dr Dee. coming to ENO in June as part of the London 2012 Festival.
The group perform two tracks, O Spirit, Animate Us, in which the old John Dee prays to God along with his daughter, as well as Apple Carts.
Tickets for Dr Dee are available here: http://www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?&itemid=1885
Caligula opens on May 25th at ENO. Benedict Andrew’s production of Detlev Glanert’s opera promises to be amazing.
But who was Caligula? Do we really know that much about him?
Mary Beard gives us a good insight into the person and character of Caligula in three short films.
Part one: Power and Assassination
Part two: Was Caligula misunderstood?
Part three: Caligula; the beginning…
ENO is extending the boundaries of opera: presenting award winning work that is new, exciting and surprising.
Collaborating with creative talent from across the arts we stage more new productions and contemporary opera than any other UK opera company. We have a world class reputation for distinctive and highly theatrical productions which has resulted in many high profile artistic partnerships with opera houses and festivals around the world, including the Metropolitan Opera, New York and Bayerische Staatsoper, Munich.
We are committed to creating new audiences for opera through English language performances which are affordable and accessible to everyone. We provide unique opportunities and pathways for British singers, conductors, directors and designers.
ENO’s Artistic Director, John Berry said, ‘As we leave behind an artistically vibrant 2011, our sights are set on keeping ENO relevant and the exciting home for modern opera in London. Contemporary composers, outstanding international directors and British talent take the lead in what I am sure will be another absorbing and thought provoking year for the Company and our audience.’
Highlights of the forthcoming 12/13 season include:
ENO 2012/13 season in full:
The Magic Flute, Mozart, opens 13 September 2012
Julietta, Martinů, opens 17 September 2012
Julius Caesar, Handel, opens 1 October 2012
Don Giovanni, Mozart, opens 17 October 2012
The Pilgrim’s Progress, Vaughan Williams, opens 5 November 2012
Carmen, Bizet, opens 21 November 2012
The Mikado, Gilbert and Sullivan, opens 1 December 2012
La traviata, Verdi, opens 2 February 2013
Medea, Charpentier, opens 15 February 2013
The Barber of Seville, Rossini, opens 25 February 2013
Sunken Garden, Van der Aa, opens 12 April 2013
La bohème, Puccini, opens 29 April 2013
Wozzeck, Berg, opens 11 May 2013
The Perfect American, Glass, opens 1 June 2013
Death in Venice, Britten, opens 14 June 2013
English National Opera won two Olivier Awards at the 2012 ceremony, held at the Royal Opera House in London. The UK’s most prestigious theatre award has two categories for opera: Outstanding Achievement in Opera and Best New Opera.
ENO took the Outstanding Achievement in Opera award for ‘The Breadth and Diversity of the Artistic Programme’ and Best New Opera Production for its production of Castor and Pollux. Of a possible 8 nominations, ENO received 6 across both categories.
Castor and Pollux was ENO’s first ever production of a Rameau opera and the London debut of the provocative director Barrie Kosky. The production set Rameau’s 1737 opera into a timeless, placeless setting, which brought the music, singers and raw energy of the performances to the fore. The excellent cast included Allan Clayton and Roderick Williams as the legendary twins, and Sophie Bevan and Laura Tatulescu.
ENO’s Artistic Director John Berry said, ‘The Company is thrilled with our Olivier Award success. So many people, including the incredible ENO Company and the creative team and artists with whom we are so honoured to work with, have contributed to this achievement. Our Award for The Breadth and Diversity of the Artistic Programme recognises the important role ENO is currently playing in the international world of opera.’
While paying a visit to the London Coliseum, Terry Gilliam mentioned that his 1985 film Brazil would make a good opera. This got us talking in the office about our own ‘fantasy operas’ - dream couplings of concepts with composers. Interested to see what our followers could come up with, we asked them for suggestions of what could be great operas.
Some great ideas came back. As well as a lot of enthusiasm for Brazil, with nominations for Stephen Sondheim or Torsten Rasch (who composed ENO’s Punchdrunk collaboration The Duchess Of Malfi) to write the music, there was also a suggestion for an opera of The Fisher King - another Terry Gilliam film.
We’re big fans of Thomas Adès, so we were very happy to see a suggestion for him to adapt Tolstoy’s novel Anna Karenina into an opera (although we should also point out that it is already a ballet - to be performed at the London Coliseum by Eifman Ballet in April).
In the office the suggestions came thick and fast: The Crucible, The Cuban Missile Crisis (John Adams composing), Metropolis (Thomas Adès), The Social Network (Nico Muhly), while our social networks buzzed with ideas: Citizen Kane (Mark Anthony Turnage), Blade Runner (Ryuichi Sakamoto (with a libretto by novelist David Mitchell)), and even Cidade de Deus (City of God).
Some seemingly fantastical ideas have already been realised as operas: Mice and Men (Carlisle Floyd) and Julian Assange, the Opera (Jonathan Dreyfus)! Definitely one to keep an eye out for…
Weinberg’s The Passenger has now opened. Giselle Allen, who sings the title role in English National Opera’s new production says it’s ultimately a supremely uplifiting piece.
Find out more here.
English National Opera is a full time producing company with a world-class reputation for distinctive, contemporary and highly theatrical opera. At the heart of ENO’s work is a commitment to developing new audiences and nurturing British talent.
