ENO Delays Coliseum Homecoming by Two WeeksDate: 13 January 2004
English National Opera (ENO) has delayed by a fortnight its return to its home at the London Coliseum (pictured), which has been closed since last summer while undergoing a £41 million restoration (See News, 14 Oct 2003). Originally due to commence on 7 February, ENO’s 2004 season at the Coliseum will now open on 21 February with a revival of its Nixon in China.
Commenting on the slight postponement, ENO artistic director Sean Doran said: “The restoration has adhered to an extremely tight schedule throughout and, in these last weeks, it is crucial that standards are not compromised during the reinstatement of our technical operation in order to meet the deadline.”
Dubbed a "year of consolidation", 2004 will continue with revivals of many of ENO's recent acclaimed productions – including Tosca, The Magic Flute, Carmen, Ernani, Falstaff, Semele as well as Calixto Bieto's highly controversial 2001 production of Don Giovanni and a second return for Robert Carsen's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, set to Britten's score with choreography by Matthew Bourne - as well as productions of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado.
The main operatic highlight of the 2004 season is the first new production of Wagner's epic Ring Cycle - The Rhinegold, The Valkyrie and Siegfried - sung in English in 30 years. Directed by Phyllida Lloyd and conducted by Paul Daniels, the new Cycle will be completed in spring 2005 with the production of Twilight of the Gods.
During the restoration, which is creating new seating and 40% extra public space, ENO has been performing at the Barbican Centre. The company’s first season back at its home venue also marks the Coliseum's centenary year.
- by Terri Paddock
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