642 posts
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Post by AddisonMizner on Apr 27, 2017 19:59:58 GMT
ENO announced their new season, and for the most part it sounds excellent (if a little short): www.eno.org/Particular choices for me would have to be Muhly's MARNIE. I really regret not seeing TWO BOYS when it was on. I only hope they revive it soon. I will definitely be booking for that! I would also be interested in Britten's THE TURN OF THE SCREW at Regent's Park, Open Air. It is an opera I have always wanted to see, but am a little sceptical about the venue. Is this really the best place for it? I can't imagine the sound being very good. Will they be using mikes? If so, that would defeat the whole point of doing opera. It makes me wish they would have just done it at another indoor venue. Quite like the look of the RODELINDA revival too. Very tempting! |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2017 21:55:13 GMT
Yes, interesting looking season. Agree on Marnie and I also want to see Britten's "Midsummer Night's Dream". Also the War Requiem performance.
Agree with your reservations about Turn of the Screw outdoors! Saw the Glyndebourne touring production a couple of years ago so will probably give this a miss.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2017 22:32:59 GMT
Agree with your reservations about Turn of the Screw outdoors! It's directed by Regent's Park's artistic director, Tim Sheader. I guess ENO's idea is to tap into a new audience, who attend the Open Air musicals, some of whom may enjoy it and then be interested to try another ENO opera, either at the London Coliseum or at one of the other various venues where ENO plays. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2017 22:55:48 GMT
My mum is keen to see Aida (an opera she's never been able to cross off her list).
Are ENO likely to do anything dreadful with it? Like render it as a western or something? Not sure of their 'form' for producing opera (as in, faithful to the era or a Bit Too Modern) as I've only seen a couple of their shows.
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562 posts
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Post by jadnoop on Apr 27, 2017 23:18:25 GMT
My mum is keen to see Aida (an opera she's never been able to cross off her list). Are ENO likely to do anything dreadful with it? Like render it as a western or something? Not sure of their 'form' for producing opera (as in, faithful to the era or a Bit Too Modern) as I've only seen a couple of their shows. I think it depends on the creative team associated with the production. Aida is being designed by Phelim McDermott who did Akhnaten and Cosi Fan Tutte at ENO, as well as Satyagraha (which is also coming back this year). If those are anything to go by, I doubt it will be too traditional, but still spectacular. But if you want traditional, then might be better to see it in original language rather than english(?) |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2017 8:10:06 GMT
Agreed, I'd prefer original language but it doesn't seem to be performed that regularly and my mum, who already has some mobility problems, is keen to see it while she's still able. Hmm. Will ponder.
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562 posts
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Post by jadnoop on Apr 28, 2017 9:20:55 GMT
Agreed, I'd prefer original language but it doesn't seem to be performed that regularly and my mum, who already has some mobility problems, is keen to see it while she's still able. Hmm. Will ponder. If you're not sure, and aren't intending to go for the absolute cheapest tickets, then it may be worth waiting for early reviews/feedback, or at least for the back stage clips/photos to be released. In my (admittedly fairly limited) experience, ENO tickets don't tend to sell out super quickly like some ROH does, so I don't think there's a need to rush and buy tickets if you're not certain. There are some exceptions (Iirc sunset boulevard sold out last year), and others here probably know more about this though, so it's just my two cents. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2017 11:56:05 GMT
Good advice too jadnoop, but unfortunately we'd need a matinee as my parents aren't London based, and there's only one matinee (which I imagine will sell pretty well to out of towners). We might just have to take the risk, I think.
At least if it's a total disaster, there are plenty of places nearby for a decent meal afterwards! ;-)
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2017 12:11:16 GMT
ENO tends to veer towards more modern director-led productions, so I would be surprised if Aida is particularly traditional! The same director did Cosi Fan Tutte at the ENO a couple of years ago so looking at reviews & clips of that should give you an idea of his approach to a non-modern opera.
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4,033 posts
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Post by Dawnstar on Apr 28, 2017 14:55:18 GMT
I was excited to see a new production of Iolanthe announced...for about half a minute, then I realised it being directed by the director whose production of Life On The Moon for ETO is one of my least favourite productions ever. So maybe I won't be seeing Iolanthe after all, which is annoying because I've never seen a pro production & would like to.
Opera Holland Park did Turn of the Screw a couple of years ago & that was (semi) outdoors so it's hardly the novelty ENO seems to be making it out to be.
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1,350 posts
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Post by tmesis on Apr 28, 2017 15:39:04 GMT
ENO tends to veer towards more modern director-led productions, so I would be surprised if Aida is particularly traditional! The same director did Cosi Fan Tutte at the ENO a couple of years ago so looking at reviews & clips of that should give you an idea of his approach to a non-modern opera. It will be a knock-down, bargain basement Aida like most of their productions these days. Also, the last Aida was really dire, with sets and costumes by Zandra Rhodes. |
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562 posts
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Post by jadnoop on May 24, 2017 0:30:44 GMT
Public booking is supposed to not start until 10am, but it seems to be working already!
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2017 9:32:46 GMT
The £20 "secret seats" weren't available when booking opened but are now. Booked those for Midsummer Night's Dream - also interested in Marnie but will wait for that one I think!
Nothing I've looked at seems to be selling particularly quickly. Bit telling that you go to the page when booking opens and it says "there is 1 person ahead of you in the queue".
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5,007 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on May 24, 2017 11:10:36 GMT
The Secret Seats are an absolute bargain. Go get em!
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Post by Mr Snow on May 24, 2017 14:35:07 GMT
The Secret Seats are an absolute bargain. Go get em! So how do these work? |
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Post by vabbian on May 24, 2017 15:13:23 GMT
I am part of the Access All Arias program, but never can get tickets for anything.
I'm not sure if it is something to do with my account or their website
I give up
I am intrigued by secret seats too, but they say the ticket value is guaranteed £30+
however a lot of the £30+ seats have no view of subtitles so you could get stuck with that....
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562 posts
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Post by jadnoop on May 24, 2017 15:46:36 GMT
The Secret Seats are an absolute bargain. Go get em! So how do these work? Basically, 'secret seats' gives you cheaper prices on decent seats (£20 for seats 'worth' at least £30). They should be good seats, but if you book more than 2 seats then there's no guarantee that you'll be seated together: www.eno.org/your-visit/ways-to-save-offers/secret-seat/I am part of the Access All Arias program, but never can get tickets for anything. I'm not sure if it is something to do with my account or their website I give up I am intrigued by secret seats too, but they say the ticket value is guaranteed £30+ however a lot of the £30+ seats have no view of subtitles so you could get stuck with that.... All secret seats should have a view of the surtitles: www.eno.org/your-visit/ways-to-save-offers/secret-seat/ |
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Post by Someone in a tree on May 24, 2017 15:52:50 GMT
Just click on the date you want. Select area of theatre - stalls, dresscricle, secret seat and bingo!
I normally end up at the front of the dress circle or back of stalls. But I have never had upper circle or balcony
If a show isn't selling then often more secret seats are added. So even if the initial allocation is sold out then do check later
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2017 15:53:51 GMT
Also worth looking at the "Opera Undressed" offer (which is just for specific nights of specific operas)
And bear in mind that virtually everything at ENO ends up on TKTS generally for around £30 for stalls or dress circle seats.
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562 posts
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Post by jadnoop on May 24, 2017 19:11:14 GMT
Also worth looking at the "Opera Undressed" offer (which is just for specific nights of specific operas) And bear in mind that virtually everything at ENO ends up on TKTS generally for around £30 for stalls or dress circle seats. What's the Opera Undressed scheme? The website is pretty vague www.eno.org/your-visit/ways-to-save-offers/opera-undressed/and I'm unclear if this is simply access to cheap tickets for rehearsals, or one of those events which has pre/post performance talks... |
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2017 19:20:28 GMT
They designate a single performance of the opera as the "Undressed" performance - for that night, in addition to normal tickets you can buy an "Undressed" ticket for £20 which gets you your opera ticket, access to pre-performance talk and post-production drinks, plus they then set your account up with a discount for subsequent productions. It's aimed at people "new to opera" but when I did it I'd already booked for stuff at the ENO previously. The website says "If you’ve already seen an opera at ENO or previously attended an Undressed event, you are not eligible to register for this scheme" so maybe they have tightened up on this. Details here - www.eno.org/your-visit/ways-to-save-offers/opera-undressed/Register and you'll get a mail when the tickets can be booked, you need to be quick. They don't do it for all productions, and I'm surprised they're not doing it for the Philip Glass and Nico Muhly ones which I would have thought would be have more appeal to the younger audience this is aimed at. |
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562 posts
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Post by jadnoop on May 24, 2017 19:36:27 GMT
They designate a single performance of the opera as the "Undressed" performance - for that night, in addition to normal tickets you can buy an "Undressed" ticket for £20 which gets you your opera ticket, access to pre-performance talk and post-production drinks, plus they then set your account up with a discount for subsequent productions. It's aimed at people "new to opera" but when I did it I'd already booked for stuff at the ENO previously. The website says "If you’ve already seen an opera at ENO or previously attended an Undressed event, you are not eligible to register for this scheme" so maybe they have tightened up on this. Details here - www.eno.org/your-visit/ways-to-save-offers/opera-undressed/Register and you'll get a mail when the tickets can be booked, you need to be quick. They don't do it for all productions, and I'm surprised they're not doing it for the Philip Glass and Nico Muhly ones which I would have thought would be have more appeal to the younger audience this is aimed at. Ah, that makes sense. Thanks for the info, and responding so quickly. Sounds like a great idea, especially if ENO are struggling to get bums on seats. As you say though, it's strange that they aren't stricter about eligibility (especially since you'd assume any checks would be an automated, online process). The website seemed somewhat relaxed for sales too; public booking went live much earlier than 10am. |
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Post by tonyloco on Aug 18, 2017 9:11:37 GMT
I have just had an email from WhatsOnStage urging me to buy tickets for the new ENO 'Aida' as follows:
English National Opera's new season opens at the London Coliseum next month with a striking new production of Verdi's Aida. Set in Ancient Egypt, it is a timeless story of love and betrayal against the backdrop of war. A roller coaster of emotions told through Verdi’s powerful music, this is opera on a grand scale.
28 September – 2 December
16 performances
Tickets from £1380 – £143.75
Sung in English, with surtitles projected above the stage
If they sell out the run at those prices they will soon be in a very healthy financial state!
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Post by Mr Snow on Aug 21, 2017 19:57:18 GMT
Going to Aida on 3rd October. Happy to meet with anyone going.
T.
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Post by bellboard27 on May 1, 2018 14:42:00 GMT
Well, I went to 9 of the 10 ENO productions for 2017/18 (I had seen Marriage of Figaro before, which I liked, but could not fit it in this time). Overall, I liked the season, but rank them in the following order:
1. Satyagraha (reached places others couldn’t reach!)
2. The Barber of Seville (spot on comedic acting – loved it)
3. Marnie (Muhly pulled off a great psychological drama)
4. Chess (great design, good performances, but hard to engage with the book)
5. Iolanthe (lots of fun, really silly, great design – over-analyse it at your peril!)
6. Rodelinda (ENO are Handel specialists and normally I lap it up, but something did not gel with this)
7. A Midsummer Night's Dream (critics loved it, but I found the staging just neutralised it all)
8. Aida (disappointing – others criticised the mish-mash of design, but I didn’t mind that – overall the performances didn’t work)
9. La Traviata (really disappointing – I didn’t care for the two leads at all, which means the whole emotional journey is wasted)
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