English National Opera (ENO) in Greater Manchester

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Sun 01 Jun 2025 - Mon 01 Jun 2026

Einstein on the Beach, Angel’s Bone, Albert Herring, Così Fan Tutte are on the bill for the English National Opera’s (ENO) new programme, which is enabling it to be firmly established within Greater Manchester by 2029.



In addition to the operas themselves, a Greater Manchester Youth Opera Company will be created to work with young people, aged 13-19, from across the city-region.

Local football teams will also be invited to line up with ENO, as part of a project to explore the impact that mass singing has on team performance and spectator experience.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “”We’re thrilled to welcome English National Opera to our city-region, as a partner in our ambition to inspire the younger generation and create real opportunities for our young people.”

Speaking at a launch event, the mayor referred to an 'awkward' start to the ENO and Manchester relationship. In 2022, the Arts Council attached future funding to a Manchester move. This sparked opposition from both within the ENO and some London-based media, especially after the ENO was offered only 50% of its current funding, while being expected to head North West.

The mayor acknowledged he may have said 'if you don't want to come then don't', in response to protests, when the partnership was first announced. But he pointed to how much work the ENO has done to develop its Manchester programme. This followed an agreement, last year, between the ENO and Arts Council England, in which £24m was awarded to the company, to develop an artistic programme in a new base outside of London.

Speaking about the Manchester partnership, Jenny Mollica, Chief Executive of ENO, said: “Working together over the last year, we could not be more clear that Greater Manchester is the right place to put down roots, a place where we can develop, expand and innovate.”



The first wave of projects and partnerships announced are:















English National Opera traces its beginnings back to 1931 when producer and manager, Lilian Baylis (1874 –1937) established the Sadler’s Wells Opera Company, at the newly reopened Sadler's Wells Theatre. Baylis had been presenting work in London since 1898 and wanted to give audiences the best theatre and opera at affordable prices.

In 1974, having relocated to the London Coliseum, the Company was renamed the English National Opera (ENO). It is still based at the London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, in London’s West End.

The ENO does not currently have its own venue or office in Manchester but will work with existing spaces to host its recently announced partnership programme.

Ticket information and on-sale dates for the ENO in Greater Manchester, will be announced 'in due course'.

SING
By Carol Ann Duffy
(for the arrival of the ENO in Greater Manchester)

Past, present, future make a chord.
We sing, you sing, in Time;
stories fused by music and word -
the herbs of an English rhyme
season the dramas of the world,
and everywhere is home.
This art we serve is who you are,
the audience as star.
The life we relish or endure,
vivid in opera;
so what we did not know we knew
becomes an aria.
Nothing is lost to us we cannot sing.
Let us begin.

© Carol Ann Duffy

Watch a preview: It Starts With A Breath: ENO and Greater Manchester



Watch Our Next Act: ENO



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