English National Opera

The English National Opera (ENO ) is one of the major opera houses in London. In contrast to the Royal Opera House ( Covent Garden), the ENO presents all performances in English and is known for cheaper admission prices.

History

The ENO goes back to Lilian Baylis (1874-1937), which showed drama, opera and ballet productions at the Old Vic Theatre. After the acquisition of the Sadler's Wells Theatre in Islington, she established there in the 1930s, a solid opera company, the Sadler 's Wells Opera Company. 1945 there the opera Peter Grimes was premiered by Benjamin Britten.

1968 pulled the Sadler's Wells Opera in the largest theater in London's West End at, the London Coliseum in St. Martin 's Lane near the Trafalgar Square. Since 1974, the ENO reflects the new name. The branch, founded in 1977 ENO North Leeds is operated independently since 1981 as Opera North.

The London Coliseum was reopened after four years of renovations in 2004. Since 2005, surtitles are used.

Music directors (Music Direction )

• Lawrance Collingwood (Chief Conductor from 1931 to 1941, Music Director from 1941 to 1946 )
• James Robertson (1946-1954)
• Alexander Gibson (1957-1959)
• Colin Davis (1961-1965)
• Mario Bernardi (1966-1968) and Bryan Balkwill (1966-1969)
• Charles Mackerras (1970-1977)
• Charles Groves (1978-1979)
• Mark Elder (1979-1993)
• Sian Edwards (1993-1997)
• Paul Daniel (1997-2005)
• Edward Gardner (2007 - now )