Are you interested in experiencing opera in the heart of London? Find out what is to come from the latest season from the English National Opera.
La bohème and Suor Angelica (Sister Angelica) artwork.
Opening their 2024/25 season at the London Coliseum, the English National Opera (ENO) will commemorate 100 years since Puccini's death with the return of Jonathan Miller's iconic production of La bohème which will open on 26 September. There's also a new semi-staged concert of Suor Angelica (Sister Angelica), directed by ENO’s Artistic Director Annilese Miskimmon, on 27 September.
The beloved production of La bohème has travelled to stages around the world since it premiered in 2009. Set in inter-war Paris, the production tells the story of impoverished Parisian poet Rodolfo’s doomed love for seamstress Mimì. Miller’s staging of Puccini’s best-loved opera is designed by his long-time collaborator Isabella Bywater.
Conductor Clelia Cafiero will be making her ENO and UK opera debut in the production.
Leading the cast as Rodolfo and Mimi is the internationally acclaimed tenor Joshua Blue (ENO debut) alongside the award-winning soprano and former Harewood Artist Nadine Benjamin MBE. They will be joined by Charles Rice who reprises his role of Marcello, soprano Vuvu Mpofu (ENO debut) as Musetta, Alexander Keefe as Schaunard, Dingle Yandell as Colline, Paul Sheehan as Benoît and Andrew Tinkler as Alcindoro.
Following the opening of La bohème is the new semi-staged concert of Suor Angelica (Sister Angelica). Set in a Magdalene Laundries institution, in a convent in 1960s Ireland. The story tells a heart-rending story of a young, unmarried mother who is separated from her baby by her aristocratic family and confined to a convent to live as a nun. Puccini’s profoundly moving and rarely performed opera was last performed at ENO in 1998.
The production will be conducted by Corinna Niemeyer, who is making her ENO debut.
This all-female cast sees the return of soprano Sinéad Campbell-Wallace as Sister Angelica, renowned mezzo-soprano Christine Rice as The Princess, and former Harewood Artist and mezzo-soprano Madeleine Shaw as The Abbess.
They will be joined by mezzo-sopranos Lea Shaw in the role of The Monitress making her ENO debut, and Gaynor Keeble as The Mistress of the Novices. Returning to ENO is former Harewood Artist and soprano Alexandra Oomens as Sister Genovieffa.
The cast will be completed by ENO Chorus members Jane Read, Sarah-Jane Lewis, Sophie Goldrick, Tanya Hurst, Susanna Tudor-Thomas, Annabella-Vesela Ellis, Claire Pendleton, and Morag Boyle.
The productions are on for a limited time, experience some of the greatest work from Puccini at the London Coliseum this Autumn.
