Today’s offer of investment from Arts Council [sic] of £17 million over the next three years will allow us to increase our national presence by creating a new base out of London, potentially in Manchester.” That last Friday’s public statement from English National Opera was spun by some as a successful outcome sums up the lack of clear-sightedness when it comes to the recent history of England’s national opera company. The facts as they actually appeared made for grim reading: ENO lost all of its annual £12.5m (about $14.2m) Arts Council England grant, which was replaced by £17m of “tailing-off” money, spread over a three-year period, to fund a relocation out of London. Another ENO statement on Wednesday confused the matter further: “It has become clear to us that [ACE’s] proposal needs urgent revision so we can continue to be a world-class opera company in London and perform more regularly in all parts of the country, including Manchester.” They certainly won’t go quietly.
Unlimited access to our
