English National Opera Announces Manchester Relocation Plans

The English National Opera (ENO) has revealed plans to establish itself in Greater Manchester by 2029 after being compelled to relocate from London due to funding stipulations from Arts Council England. Initial productions will commence in 2025 at venues such as The Lowry and Aviva Studios, featuring works including Benjamin Britten's 'Albert Herring' and the UK premiere of 'Angel's Bone'. The ENO is also launching a new Greater Manchester Youth Opera Company and a community initiative called Perfect Pitch to explore the role of mass singing in team dynamics. Artistic director Annilese Miskimmon emphasized that this move marks a 'bold and confident future for opera in the UK'. The initiative aims to deliver a diverse range of opera productions, from traditional to experimental, while fostering local partnerships and community engagement. This transition follows significant turmoil for the company over the past two years regarding its funding and operational strategy.