English National Opera to Establish Greater Manchester Base with Bold New Program

ENO announces a multi-year plan to bring innovative productions and community initiatives to Greater Manchester as part of a phased relocation from London.

ENO will stage Philip Glass's avant-garde opera 'Einstein on the Beach' in Manchester in 2027, marking only its second UK production due to its length and complexity.
The move to Manchester follows a 2022 Arts Council England mandate linking continued funding to a relocation outside London, sparking initial controversy and internal dissent.
ENO's plans include forming a Greater Manchester Youth Opera Company, staging Benjamin Britten's 'Albert Herring' in 2025, and launching a community singing project with local football teams called 'Perfect Pitch.'
The company will maintain annual opera seasons at the London Coliseum while gradually expanding its presence in Greater Manchester, aiming for full establishment by 2029.
Critics have raised concerns about the financial sustainability of the dual-location model and the potential impact on existing regional opera groups like Opera North.