ENO pursues Norway option
mainWe hear that Englsh National Opera has earmarked its choice of next artistic director.
The person being wooed is Annilese Miskimmon, director of Norwegian Opera and Ballet.
Miskimmon, a contentious figure up north, has distinguished herself at Glyndebourne by proclaiming Madam Butterfly to be ‘repulsive’.
Just what ENO needs, then.
Others on the shortlist include two staffers and a chap from Norwich.
Not much of a search.
So long as ACE continues to indulge ENO they will continue to be so self indulgent. As a UK taxpayer I would much prefer to see the money showered on St Martins Lane given to the so called regional companies who at least produce work that is based on respect for the work rather than gratification of the regisseur. Ms Miskimmon seems the ideal choice to finish off the legacy of Lilian Baylis and Lord Harewood, may they rest in peace unaware of the traducing of their vision.
We have to accept London as a city with one truly great opera house. That is perfectly alright, provided the funding is maintained,at least at the same level post Brexit, when Britain will be a less wealthy state. Forget about ENO, we should focus on the future of RNO.
Yes, and cut out all those like me who can’t afford to go to the Garden – or cant even get in – and prefer Opera in English when I bring large groups to the opera for the first time. I wouldn’t get them into.the Garden for free ecause of the image. There is a Charter involved with ENO, and also there is a choice.
It seems a bit short sighted to be dismissive of ENO ‘staffers’. All anyone’s talked about over recent years is how crucial it is to have someone on the exec team of the company that genuinely understands and loves opera, and that really gets the company and how it can be pushed to be brilliant. It makes sense that that might be someone already working within, particularly when there are lots of v impressive senior people at ENO. Rumours about shows coming up in the next few years sound incredibly exciting, so that’s got to be a good sign..!
I just love ENO and unashamedly love opera in English.
There is no staffer within ENO who has the confidence of the company. ENO should not be appointing anyone passed over by other opera houses. ENO is a vital part of the opera ecosystem and it is vital this appointment is a success. Appointing a woman, with a fresh take, would be an inspirational choice.
Good news for ENO if true but would be sorry to see her go from Oslo. Her Billy Budd was the best show in ten years of our new opera house. Good luck to her.
In my opinion, she simply destroyed the Norwegian Оpera.
Under previous opera director there were good singers and good conductors. There was a lot more productions to choose from. Just 4 years ago, I could choose from fifteen different opera performances, not including ballet.
Now the opera has terrible conductors, half of the soloists can neither sing nor play, and the productions are boring.