ENO has announced its new 2025/2026 season alongside naming German conductor André de Ridder as its new music director, following on from Martyn Brabbins who resigned in 2023 following ENO's proposal to axe 19 orchestral positions.

Currently Generalmusikdirektor (GMD) of the Theater Freiburg, De Ridder's previous work with ENO includes conducting the premieres of Gerald Barry’s The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant in 2005, and Michel van der Aa’s Sunken Garden in 2013. 

Speaking of his appointment, André de Ridder said: ‘It is an honour to have been chosen by English National Opera as their new Music Director ... I am immensely excited to join them at this time of change and development and to have the chance to work again in the Greater Manchester region too.’

New season

Though it continues its transfer of activities to Manchester, ENO's new season is still firmly rooted in London at the London Coliseum. New productions include Jake Heggie's Dead Man Walking opening in November, directed by Annilese Miskimmon. In February, in his first appearance as Music Director Designate, André de Ridder conducts a new production of Kurt Weill's Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny directed by Jamie Manton. 

Opening the season is a new production by Julia Burbach of Rossini's Cinderella in September and in October, a new staging of Britten's Albert Herring by Antony McDonald will open at the Coliseum before transferring to Lowry, Salford Quays in October 2025. The UK premiere of Du Tun's opera Angel's Bone will open in May 2026 at Aviva Studios in Manchester, directed by Kip Williams.

Revivals for next seasons include Calixto Bieito’s Carmen in October, Handel’s Partenope in November, HMS Pinafore in December and Così fan tutte in February.

Speaking of the new ENO season, Annilese Miskimmon, Artistic Director of English National Opera, said: ‘We’re delighted to make this announcement today, reaffirming our commitment to our devoted audiences at the London Coliseum, and reaching new audiences in Greater Manchester. This season showcases new contemporary masterpieces and ENO firsts, alongside the return of our well-loved revivals, and two new broadcast partnerships with Factory Films for Sky Arts and BBC Radio 3, as we continue to expand our work nationally...’