English National Opera names chorus director
OperaThe new appointment is Matthew Quinn from Belfast, a former assistant content producer at the BBC.
How the chorus job will now work with the company split between London and Manchester remains to be specified.
Matthew says:
Delighted to be able to finally announce that I’ll be joining @englishnationalopera from this season as their new Chorus Director!
To take this position with a National company that I admire so much with such an internationally renowned chorus is a dream. As is to be part of such an inspiring and innovative musical team. We kick off at the Coliseum in September with La Bohème!
Let’s just hope there is a chorus left for him to direct at ENO. Already truncated and with no longer a year round contract, the chorus at the once mighty ENO works alongside the orchestra which has been treated in a similar way. All the while, the Board with no vertebrae continues under the direction of the self aggrandising but totally ineffective doctor. The Powerhouse days are but a distant memory.
Under sixty performances in the “season” starting next month. And an AC grant of over £12 Million, that is more than £200,000 per performance or well over £160 per ticket sold – wow.
By only listing his former BBC job and omitting his long list of conducting roles, as well as his Musical Director positions, you are trying to mislead your readers with this biased representation of Matthew.
It is the only job listed on his Fb page
‘Working primarily across the UK and Ireland, Matthew has conducted ensembles such as the Ulster Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Hard Rain Soloist Ensemble, Chamber Choir Ireland and the orchestra and chorus of Northern Ireland Opera. He is comfortable across a wide range of operatic, orchestral, and choral repertoire. He has received multiple conducting accolades, including as winner of the 2019 RTÉ/Feis Ceoil Orchestral Conducting Award with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra – securing the opportunity to record Dvorak’s Ninth Symphony with the orchestra in the 2020/21 season. He is currently the musical director of Cappella Caeciliana, the London Youth Chamber Choir, and the Northern Ireland Opera Chorus. He has worked as assistant conductor with ensembles such as the BBC Concert Orchestra, Crouch End Festival Chorus, and London Mozart Players.’
From his website, readily available from all good search engines.
Agreed. His CV is readily available on the internet and looks pretty impressive.
Might be good for an update on just how and when ENO will move to Gt Manchester, if indeed it does, and how much of the suits will remain in London. Rather like the move north by the BBC and Channel 4. Presumably the board of ENO are sharing with appointees just what they are taking on and if it is just centred around existing plans based at the Coliseum then that might indicate that the move is far from certain. This appointment begs more questions than answers which very much aligns with the hope from St Martins Lane that the move is far from being a done deal.
What chorus?
Looks like a good appointment. Nice to see young British talent getting promoted these days.
Having worked with Matthew in a male voice choir recently, I can say he’s really great! ENO chorus will learn a lot.
https://matthewquinnmusic.com/