English National Opera 2018/19: book now for five new shows

By Claudia Pritchard on 13/9/2018

A merry widow, the women of Whitechapel and lovers happy and unhappy are at the heart of new productions

Soprano and actress Allison Cook take the title role in Salome. Photo: Robert Wolanski

Salome by Richard Strauss, English National Opera

A vengeful woman performs the Dance of the Seven Veils in exchange for the chance to take a life in the opera that shocked audiences in 1905 and which still challenges today. Starring Allison Cook (pictured) and opening ENO's 2018/19 woman-focused season.

WHEN

28 Sep 2018 – 23 Oct 2018, Seven performances, times vary; duration 1 hr 45min

WHERE

English National Opera
London Coliseum, St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4ES

Soprano Nicole Cabell makes her ENO debut as Bess. Photo: Devon Cass

Porgy and Bess, English National Opera

Receiving its first staging by English National Opera, Gershwin's Porgy and Bess is a monument in 20th-century opera, taking the story of a close-knit community in South Carolina and the 1920s and telling it through the music of the age. With Nicole Cabell (pictured) as Bess.

WHEN

11 Oct 2018 – 17 Nov 2018, Times vary

WHERE

English National Opera
London Coliseum, St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4ES

Roderick Williams is the baritone soloist in the soulful War Requiem

Britten's War Requiem, English National Opera

Benjamin Britten's War Requiem is one of the most powerful musical tributes to the losses of war. The composer, a pacifist, set the words of First World War poet and soldier Wilfred Owen, which never fail to move. Soloists include Roderick Williams (pictured)

WHEN

16 Nov 2018 – 04 Dec 2018, six performances

WHERE

English National Opera
London Coliseum, St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4ES

Soprano Sarah Tynan takes the title role in The Merry Widow. Photo: Chris Gloag

The Merry Widow, English National Opera

ENO's woman-focused season continues with a fresh interpretation of Franz Lehár's comic opera. The cheerful widow of the title is Hanna, who finds herself wealthy and single – and confident that she will land handsome Danilo. With Sarah Tynan (pictured) in the title role.

WHEN

01 Mar 2019 – 13 Apr 2019, Times vary; 12 performances, running time 2hr 30min

WHERE

English National Opera
London Coliseum, St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4ES

Claudia Boyle as Mary Kelly leads the cast of Jack the Ripper. Photo: Frances Marshall

Jack the Ripper, English National Opera

A new opera commissioned by ENO, subtitled The Women of Whitechapel, and reinterpreting the story of East End murders through the eyes of the womenfolk at risk. Claudia Boyle (pictured) leads a mostly female cast in Iain Bell's new piece.

WHEN

30 Mar 2019 – 12 Apr 2019, six performances

WHERE

English National Opera
London Coliseum, St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4ES