Manchester has long been a hub of culture in the UK: football, style, architecture, the Gallaghers… the city is buzzing with entertainment and art.
But what might be the cherry on top of the cake is arriving soon.
English National Opera has announced a major partnership with Greater Manchester, bringing new projects and opportunities to the region as early as 2025 – but how did we get here, and what will it do for the community and culture scene?
The company will be moving from its home at the London Coliseum due to a long and controversial battle with Arts Council England who, under instruction from the previous Conservative government, ordered the company to relocate or lose their multi-million-pound annual subsidy.
But with companies like Opera North and the Hallé already performing in the city, ENO’s plans to be ‘firmly established within Greater Manchester by 2029’ may either be a win for the community, or a major misjudgement of public appetite.
Big plans
Ambitious plans for 2025 include vocational training opportunities for young people in the region through the award-winning Factory Academy training scheme, as well as work to bring opera to classrooms, and the creation of a Greater Manchester Youth Opera Company.
ENO is also collaborating with the city’s well-established institutions, including Lowry for a production of Benjamin Britten’s classic opera Albert Herring in October and a summer performance for Manchester Classical festival with the Hallé.
Jenny Mollica, Chief Executive of ENO, explained the move by describing the region as ‘the perfect place to put down roots’.
She said: “Building on the region’s legendary reputation as the heart of music making in this country, we can make a difference to audiences and communities, help invest in the next generation of talent and break new ground in the future of the art form- locally, nationally and internationally.”
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, welcomed the move, claiming that the city has ‘always been at then heart of the UK music scene’ with a ‘legacy and energy that’s second to none’.
The company has also vowed to tap into the city’s football heritage, starting work with local football teams this summer to explore the impact mass singing has on team performance and the spectator experience.
It seems that ENO are pulling out all the stops to settle in up north, but it hardly appears to be out of choice.
A controversial move
The move has been everything but smooth sailing – with ENO opposing the relocation in 2022, claiming that it would not be “doable”,
Following this, Burnham stated that ENO did not deserve to come to Manchester if the company thinks Mancunians are ‘heathens’ who would not attend performances.
He said at the time: “If they want to come, come willingly, but if you’re not coming willingly don’t come at all.”
Fans of ENO also opposed the move, with one X user labelling it “stupid” as “Manchester already has Opera North”.
He said: “The whole reason Opera North was created was as a representation of English National Opera for the North of England.
“This is so stupid. London needs ENO.”
Manchester already has Opera North.
— Fraser. (@frasercontra) December 5, 2023
The whole reason Opera North was created was as a representation of English National Opera for the North of England .
This is so stupid. London needs ENO.
Hopefully, the opportunity to add opera on the list of things things that, to sarcastically quote Tony Wilson, we ‘do differently here’ will not fall flat on its face – but the proof will be in the pudding.
After all, it ain’t over till the fat lady sings.
Feature image: Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, ENO Chief Executive Jenny Mollica, Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig, Mayor of Salford Paul Dennett at a launch event, 21 Nov 2024. © Lloyd Winters
Join the discussion