English National Opera Ltd

ENO's complelling new production of Vaughan Williams's sublime opera. Continuing its commitment to celebrating the best of English opera, ENO follows its acclaimed productions of Vaughan Williams's jovial Sir John in Love and poignant Riders to the Sea with its first-ever staging of the composer's rapturous response to one of the best-loved adventure stories in the English language. 5 - 28 Nov | Tickets from ONLY £19 BOOK NOW at eno.org or call 020 7845 9300

#ENOMikado Just over 125 years since its initial record-breaking run, The Mikado remains Gilbert and Sullivan's most popular operetta. For a staggering fifth of that total time, it has also been virtually synonymous with Jonathan Miller's dazzlingly inventive and stunningly stylish song-and-dance staging, which has proved an unfailing 'source of innocent merriment' ever since it first graced the London Coliseum stage in 1986. Wittily transposing the topsy-turvy Victorian values of Gilbert's mock-oriental Town of Titipu to a Marx Brothers-inspired take on the denizens of a very English 1930s seaside hotel, Miller's much-loved production returns, two years after celebrating its silver jubilee. The starry cast of seasoned veterans and fresh-faced newcomers is led by ENO's resident master of the comic patter song, Richard Suart, who this season celebrates his own 25th anniversary in the role of Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner. Performances Dec 1, 5*, 7, 8 & Jan 21*, 25, 26, 30, 31 at 7.30pm | Dec 1, 8 & Jan 26 at 2.30pm 12 performances. Running time: 2hrs 35mins Signed-performance, Tue Jan 21 Pre-performance talk, Wed Dec 5, 5.15 -- 6pm, £5/£2.50 concs To book, visit: http://www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?&itemid=2134

George's doves have appeared in every performance of Nicholas Hytner's The Magic Flute since it entered the ENO repertoire in 1988. A mercurial mix of fairy-tale adventure, knockabout farce, moral allegory and, above all, marvellous music (including the thrilling Queen of the Night Aria), Mozart's The Magic Flute was premiered just ten weeks before the composer's tragically early death. It proved to be the biggest popular success of his short life, as well as arguably the most deeply moving of all his operas. Acclaimed as 'a well-established jewel of ENO's repertoire' (Evening Standard) and 'one of ENO's most magical productions' (The Times), National Theatre Director Nicholas Hytner's spectacular staging has thrilled audiences of all ages since it was first seen in 1988 and now returns -- complete with giant serpent, dancing bears and live performing birds -- to celebrate its 25th anniversary on the London Coliseum stage. With its panto-style storyline, catchy tunes, broad comedy and profound humanity, The Magic Flute is the perfect introduction to opera for anyone who has never been before. Performances: Sep 13*, 15, 21, 26* & Oct 11, 15, 18 at 7.30pm | Oct 6 at 6.30pm | Sep 23 & Oct 13 at 3pm 10 performances. Running time: 2hrs 50mins Pre-performance talk, Sat Sep 15, 5.15 -- 6pm, £5/£2.50 concs London Coliseum tour on performance day, Sat Oct 6; tour starts at 11.30am, £10 per person

#ENODee Starring Damon Albarn About the production Following the success of Damon Albarn's Monkey: Journey to the West, ENO presents the London premiere of Albarn's visionary new opera Dr Dee. Although largely unknown today, Doctor Dee was the quintessential Renaissance Man. From astrology to alchemy and physics to philosophy, his thirst for knowledge was insatiable and, as a key advisor to Elizabeth I, he is credited with providing much of the intelligence which shaped 'the British Empire' established under her rule. Dee also dabbled in the occult and, ultimately, this fascination destroyed him. Conned by a deranged medium, Dee's career ended in disgrace and sexual scandal and he died discredited and penniless. This fascinating figure is bought to life by the extraordinary talents of composer and musician Damon Albarn, and director Rufus Norris. Albarn's music is an ingenious mix of pop vocals, much of which he will perform live on-stage, with contemporary orchestral music played on 16th-century period instruments. Rufus Norris's staging presents five centuries of English history and the three realms of earth, heaven and hell, with the virtuosic flare which has secured him a raft of awards and five-star reviews from London to Broadway. Reviews of Dr Dee's 2011 staging at the Manchester International Festival: 'Fresh, original and heartfelt... I was entranced' The Daily Telegraph 'A thoroughly beguiling spectacle... deserves a gold medal for sheer imagination and invention' The Observer 'A breathtaking spectacle... rich in invention, imagery and imagination' The Stage Performances June 25, 26, 28, 29 & July 4, 6, 7 at 7.30pm , July 7 at 2.30pm 8 performances. Running time: 2hrs. Pre-performance talk: Thur June 28, 5.30-6.15pm, £5 Visit www.eno.org for more info. Album "Dr Dee", a new studio album by Damon Albarn, set for release by Parlophone Records on 7th May 2012. Dr Dee is 18 tracks of songs combining Albarn's voice with early English choral and instrumentation alongside modern, West African and Renaissance sounds. Dr Dee was recorded late last year in Albarn's West London studio and also in Salford with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. The album was mixed by Valgeir Sigursson in Reykjavik. Dr Dee will be available on CD, vinyl and as a digital download. For more info visit: http://widgets.platform.emi.com/landing/c02742dc31874568b24864530c053359.html

#ENODrDee Starring Damon Albarn About the production Following the success of Damon Albarn's Monkey: Journey to the West, ENO presents the London premiere of Albarn's visionary new opera Dr Dee. Although largely unknown today, Doctor Dee was the quintessential Renaissance Man. From astrology to alchemy and physics to philosophy, his thirst for knowledge was insatiable and, as a key advisor to Elizabeth I, he is credited with providing much of the intelligence which shaped 'the British Empire' established under her rule. Dee also dabbled in the occult and, ultimately, this fascination destroyed him. Conned by a deranged medium, Dee's career ended in disgrace and sexual scandal and he died discredited and penniless. This fascinating figure is bought to life by the extraordinary talents of composer and musician Damon Albarn, and director Rufus Norris. Albarn's music is an ingenious mix of pop vocals, much of which he will perform live on-stage, with contemporary orchestral music played on 16th-century period instruments. Rufus Norris's staging presents five centuries of English history and the three realms of earth, heaven and hell, with the virtuosic flare which has secured him a raft of awards and five-star reviews from London to Broadway. Reviews of Dr Dee's 2011 staging at the Manchester International Festival: 'Fresh, original and heartfelt... I was entranced' The Daily Telegraph 'A thoroughly beguiling spectacle... deserves a gold medal for sheer imagination and invention' The Observer 'A breathtaking spectacle... rich in invention, imagery and imagination' The Stage Performances June 25, 26, 28, 29 & July 4, 6, 7 at 7.30pm , July 7 at 2.30pm 8 performances. Running time: 2hrs. Pre-performance talk: Thur June 28, 5.30-6.15pm, £5 For more info and booking visit: http://www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?itemid=1885

#ENOBudd ENO continues to refresh its Britten repertoire with this new production by the team behind ENO's award-winning Peter Grimes. A metaphysical battle between good and evil fought out aboard a British man-o'-war, Britten's richly orchestrated all-male opera was originally commissioned for the 1951 Festival of Britain and is considered to be one of the composer's finest works. Starring Benedict Nelson (a 'standout' Demetrius in 2011's A Midsummer Night's Dream) as Billy, Matthew Rose as Claggart, the malevolent master-at-arms, and Kim Begley as Vere, the morally conflicted captain, this new staging reunites the award-winning director-conductor partnership of David Alden and Edward Gardner from 2009's Peter Grimes. Performances June 18, 23, 27, & July 3, 5 at 7pm | June 30 at 6pm | July 8 at 3pm 7 performances. Running time: 2hrs 55mins

See scenes and the audiences' response to this powerful new production of Glanert's Caligula making it's UK debut. About the production When his adored sister's death awakes him to a realisation of life's essential absurdity, the Roman emperor Caligula embarks upon an orgy of sexual depravity and sadistic cruelty in an apparently insane attempt to free himself from the shackles of mortality and morality. Based upon Albert Camus's existentialist response to the rise of Hitler and Stalin, but as topical as ever in the era of Saddam Hussein and Colonel Gaddafi, Detlev Glanert's 2006 opera -- 'perhaps the finest German opera of the 21st century' (Tempo) -- offers a disturbing insight into the self-destructive logic driving a decadent and dangerous dictatorship. Audacious young Australian director Benedict Andrews highlights the timeliness of the opera's themes by setting his UK premiere production in a football stadium, the kind of vast public arena within which dictators habitually play out their political games. Performances May 25, 29, 31 & June 7, 9, 14 at 7.30pm 6 performances. Running time: 2hrs 30mins Pre-performance talk: Tue May 29, 5.30-6.15pm, £5 / £2.50 concs

ENO continues to refresh its Britten repertoire with this new production by the team behind ENO's award-winning Peter Grimes. A metaphysical battle between good and evil fought out aboard a British man-o'-war, Britten's richly orchestrated all-male opera was originally commissioned for the 1951 Festival of Britain and is considered to be one of the composer's finest works. Starring Benedict Nelson (a 'standout' Demetrius in 2011's A Midsummer Night's Dream) as Billy, Matthew Rose as Claggart, the malevolent master-at-arms, and Kim Begley as Vere, the morally conflicted captain, this new staging reunites the award-winning director-conductor partnership of David Alden and Edward Gardner from 2009's Peter Grimes. Performances June 18, 23, 27, & July 3, 5 at 7pm | June 30 at 6pm | July 8 at 3pm 7 performances. Running time: 2hrs 55mins

'Britain's best-known classicist' Mary Beard, talks about the character of Caligula as ENO looks forward to the first UK staging of Glanert's opera. About the production When his adored sister's death awakes him to a realisation of life's essential absurdity, the Roman emperor Caligula embarks upon an orgy of sexual depravity and sadistic cruelty in an apparently insane attempt to free himself from the shackles of mortality and morality. Based upon Albert Camus's existentialist response to the rise of Hitler and Stalin, but as topical as ever in the era of Saddam Hussein and Colonel Gaddafi, Detlev Glanert's 2006 opera -- 'perhaps the finest German opera of the 21st century' (Tempo) -- offers a disturbing insight into the self-destructive logic driving a decadent and dangerous dictatorship. Audacious young Australian director Benedict Andrews highlights the timeliness of the opera's themes by setting his UK premiere production in a football stadium, the kind of vast public arena within which dictators habitually play out their political games. Performances May 25, 29, 31 & June 7, 9, 14 at 7.30pm 6 performances. Running time: 2hrs 30mins Pre-performance talk: Tue May 29, 5.30-6.15pm, £5 / £2.50 concs

'Britain's best-known classicist' Mary Beard, talks about the character of Caligula as ENO looks forward to the first UK staging of Glanert's opera. About the production When his adored sister's death awakes him to a realisation of life's essential absurdity, the Roman emperor Caligula embarks upon an orgy of sexual depravity and sadistic cruelty in an apparently insane attempt to free himself from the shackles of mortality and morality. Based upon Albert Camus's existentialist response to the rise of Hitler and Stalin, but as topical as ever in the era of Saddam Hussein and Colonel Gaddafi, Detlev Glanert's 2006 opera -- 'perhaps the finest German opera of the 21st century' (Tempo) -- offers a disturbing insight into the self-destructive logic driving a decadent and dangerous dictatorship. Audacious young Australian director Benedict Andrews highlights the timeliness of the opera's themes by setting his UK premiere production in a football stadium, the kind of vast public arena within which dictators habitually play out their political games. Performances May 25, 29, 31 & June 7, 9, 14 at 7.30pm 6 performances. Running time: 2hrs 30mins Pre-performance talk: Tue May 29, 5.30-6.15pm, £5 / £2.50 concs

Stuart Skelton who plays Eric in ENO's new production of Wagner's 'The Flying Dutchman' talks about his recent success singing at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and looks forward to singing in the remaining performances of Dutchman at ENO.

Benedict Andrews directs the cast of Caligula in rehearsal ahead of its premiere at the London Coliseum on the 25th of May. May 25, 29, 31 & June 7, 9, 14 at 7.30pm 6 performances. Running time: 2hrs 30mins Pre-performance talk: Tue May 29, 5.30-6.15pm, £5 / £2.50 concs

Last year's performances of Wagner's final opera, Parsifal, were hailed as 'a staging that is as good as any Wagner seen in London in the last 20 years' (The Guardian). Now ENO presents his earliest masterpiece, The Flying Dutchman, in a new production by Jonathan Kent, formerly at London's cutting-edge Almeida Theatre and now a successful opera director in demand from Santa Fe to St Petersburg. Edward Gardner, ENO's Olivier Award-winning Music Director, conducts his first Wagner opera. American bass James Creswell (Timur in 2009's Turandot) stars as the legendary ship's captain fated to sail the seas for ever, with Orla Boylan -- a 'radiant' (Independent on Sunday) Sieglinde in 2004's The Valkyrie -- as Senta, the girl sent to save him. Performances Apr 28 & May 1, 12, 16, 18, 23 at 7.30pm | May 5 at 6.30pm 7 performances. Running time: 2hrs 15mins Tue May 01, 5.30--6.15pm, £5 Signed performance: Wed May 16

Last year's performances of Wagner's final opera, Parsifal, were hailed as 'a staging that is as good as any Wagner seen in London in the last 20 years' (The Guardian). Now ENO presents his earliest masterpiece, The Flying Dutchman, in a new production by Jonathan Kent, formerly at London's cutting-edge Almeida Theatre and now a successful opera director in demand from Santa Fe to St Petersburg. Edward Gardner, ENO's Olivier Award-winning Music Director, conducts his first Wagner opera. American bass James Creswell (Timur in 2009's Turandot) stars as the legendary ship's captain fated to sail the seas for ever, with Orla Boylan -- a 'radiant' (Independent on Sunday) Sieglinde in 2004's The Valkyrie -- as Senta, the girl sent to save him. Performances Apr 28 & May 1, 12, 16, 18, 23 at 7.30pm | May 5 at 6.30pm 7 performances. Running time: 2hrs 15mins For more details visit: http://www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?&itemid=1882

On 3 March 2012, a large number of musicians and performers came together at the London Coliseum to celebrate John Cage's centenary. The event was produced by ENO. Stephen Montague (Artistic Director) Alex Julyan (Visual Director) You'll be able to isten to an exclusive recording of the ENO Musicircus on Late Junction, as part of BBC Radio 3's John Cage anniversary celebrations in early September 2012.

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: UK premiere of Philip Glass's The Perfect American, an opera about Walt Disney World premiere of Michel van der Aa and Cloud Atlas writer David Mitchell's Sunken Garden, an 'occult-mystery film opera' Verdi bicentenary begins in the UK with Peter Konwitschny's new production of La traviata The first full professional staging of Vaughan Williams' The Pilgrim's Progress since the Festival of Britain in 1951 Britten centenary celebrated with Deborah Warner and Edward Gardner teaming up for Death in Venice British composer Ryan Wigglesworth joins ENO as Composer in Residence 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