English National Opera (ENO) has unveiled details of five new productions and a host of revivals for its 2025/26 season, following the appointment of André de Ridder as its new music director.
De Ridder takes up the role of music director designate in September this year, becoming music director in Autumn 2027. He is currently general music director of Theater Freiburg in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, where he has conducted titles such as Wozzeck, Hansel and Gretel, The Magic Flute, Don Carlos, Jenůfa, and Alcina.
New productions premiering this season include Jake Heggie’s first opera, Dead Man Walking, which opens at the London Colisseum in November, 25 years after its original premiere. Annilese Miskimmon will direct Heggie’s haunting contemporary masterpiece and conducting is Kerem Hasan. Starring as Sister Helen Prejean and death-row inmate Joseph de Rocher are Christine Rice and Michael Mayes. They will be joined by Dame Sarah Connolly as Mrs Patrick de Rocher.
Also at the London Coliseum, Jamie Manton directs a new production of Kurt Weill’s rarely performed political satire, Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny, in February 2026. Conducting the 1920s jazz-inspired score is de Ridder in his first engagement as music director designate. Leading the cast as the three fugitives, Leokadja Begbick, Trinity Moses and Fatty the Bookkeeper, are Rosie Aldridge, Kenneth Kellogg and Mark Le Brocq. They will be joined by the Danielle de Niese as Jenny Smith.
This September, a new production of Rossini’s Cinderella (La Cenerentola) is directed by Julia Burbach, with Yi-Chen Lin conducting in her ENO debut. Also debuting at ENO is Deepa Johnny, performing the lead role of Angelina. She will be joined by Aaron Godfrey-Mayes making his ENO debut as Don Ramiro, Charles Rice as Dandini, Simon Bailey as Don Magnifico, and David Ireland as Alidoro.
Opening at the London Coliseum in October is a new staging of Benjamin Britten’s comic ensemble opera, Albert Herring, marking the first time ENO has performed this opera. Making his ENO directorial debut is Antony McDonald. Also making their company debuts are conductor Daniel Cohen and Caspar Singh, who is leading the cast in the title role. He will be joined by Emma Bell as Lady Billows, Mark Le Brocq as Mr Upfold, the Mayor, and Sir Willard White as Superintendent Budd.
There will also be numerous revivals this season, including the return to the London Coliseum in October of Calixto Bieito’s fiery Carmen, a revival directed by Jamie Manton with Haruka Kuroda. Conducting is Clelia Cafiero and Olivia Clarke. Making her role debut as Carmen is Niamh O’Sullivan. Joining her will be John Findon as Don José, Cory McGee makes his UK and role debut as celebrated toreador Escamillo, and Ava Dodd as Micaela.
Christopher Alden’s production of Handel’s Partenope returns for its second revival in November. Alden and Christian Curnyn resume their roles as director and conductor. Leading the cast in the title role of Partenope is Nardus Williams. She will be joined by Hugh Cutting, who is making his ENO debut as Arsace, Ru Charlesworth as Emilio and Jake Ingbar as Armindo, the suitors competing for the Queen’s hand.
Comedy director Cal McCrystal returns for the revival of Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic masterpiece HMS Pinafore in December 2025 and January 2026. Conducting is Matthew Kofi Waldren. Neal Davies performs the role of Sir Joseph, the pompous head of the navy, and joining him is John Savournin, reprising his role as Captain Corcoran. Performing as Ralph Rackstraw and Josephine is Thomas Atkins and Henna Mun.
A revival of Mozart’s romantic comedy Così fan tutte returns in February 2026, directed by Phelim McDermott, with Dinis Sousa conducting. The cast is comprised of Samantha Clarke and Bethany Horak-Hallett as Fiordiligi and Dorabella, and Joshua Blue and Darwin Prakash as Ferrando and Guglielmo. They will be joined by Andrew Foster-Williams as the philosopher Don Alfonso. Ailish Tynan performs the role of the mischievous maid Despina.
Bookings open on June 4. More details and tickets here.
Top image: Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny, London Coliseum, ENO 2025-26 Season © English National Opera (image supplied)