English National Opera (ENO) has unveiled its 2026/27 season, which will feature a mixture of traditional and contemporary productions in London including Tosca, Adriana Mater and Breaking the Waves.
At the London Coliseum, Annilese Miskimmon directs two thematically and theatrically connected new productions, Tosca and Adriana Mater, which togetherform a prequel and sequel in a bold narrative arc exploring art, war and resilience.
Puccini’s Tosca (October 30 – December 11, 2026) is a timeless story of love, power and sacrifice, reimagined here in a concert hall of an unidentified European state overtaken by civil conflict amid foreign aggression at the border, drawing striking parallels between art, conflict and political oppression. Conducted by Ben Glassberg, the production stars Axelle Fanyo in the title role, alongside Chaz’men Williams-Ali as Cavaradossi. The role of Scarpia is shared by Christopher Purves and Craig Colclough, with the Children’s Chorus cast from Marlborough Primary School, through an ENO Engage partnership with the Tri-borough Music Hub and London West Music Hub.
For Adriana Mater (November 28 – December 12, 2026), Miskimmon is joined by André de Ridder, who creates a shimmering, immersive soundscape with Kaija Saariaho’s score, blending traditional orchestration with electronics. With a libretto by journalist and war correspondent, Amin Maalouf, and a newly commissioned English translation by the composer’s son, writer-director Aleksi Barrière, this production is set in an unidentified European state during and post-civil war. In the opera, Adriana’s son Yonas grapples with the legacy of violence in his bloodline, forcing him to confront the dark origins of his family. Making her ENO debut in the title role is Kristina Stanek, and returning to ENO is Caspar Singh as Yonas. They will be joined by Leigh Melrose as Tsargo, and Lauren Fagan making her company debut as Refka.
A double bill pairs Scottish Opera’s 2025 staging of WS Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan’s Trial by Jury with a new ENO production of Arthur Sullivan and Bolton Rowe’s The Zoo, performed at ENO for the first time (March 4-12, 2027). Directed by John Savournin, the two works are brought together at the London Coliseum as one fast-paced political satire, conducted by Peter Whelan. The journey begins with The Zoo, which follows two pairs of lovers: first, a nobleman’s over‑the‑top attempts to woo a snack seller and second, a young chemist’s panic over mistakenly thinking he’s poisoned his sweetheart, sending both couples into a whirlwind of comic misunderstandings. This is followed by Trial by Jury, reimagined by Savournin as a 1980s TV game show, becoming a comedic showdown where a contestant is accused of breaking a promise to his jilted bride. The cast includes Neal Davies as The Learned Judge and Mary Bevan as The Plaintiff (Angelina)/Laetitia Grinder.
Following its UK premiere at Aviva Studios, Manchester, in May 2026, ENO’s production of Du Yun and Royce Vavrek’s Angel’s Bone transfers to the London Coliseum (October 16-31, 2026). The opera follows a financially struggling couple who discover two injured angels in their garden and, after taking them in, descend from apparent compassion into greed and exploitation. Directed by Kip Williams, with design by Marg Horwell, Baldur Brönnimann conducts. Reprising their roles are Allison Cook as Mrs XE, Rodney Earl Clarke as Mr XE, Mariam Wallentin as Girl Angel, Matthew McKinney as Boy Angel and Keith Pun as Male Soprano. Joining the orchestra is Kantos Chamber Choir.
Peter Konwitschny’s production of La Traviata returns to the London Coliseum (February 3 – March 13, 2027). Romantic and tragic in equal measure, Verdi’s most famous opera tells the story of Violetta’s beautiful yet doomed love for Alfredo. With minimalist, contemporary staging as the backdrop to exceptional drama, it is conducted by Kevin John Edusei. The cast is led by Heidi Stober as Violetta alongside Egor Zhuravskii as Alfredo and David Stout as Giorgio Germont.
For one night only on November 29, 2026, ENO presents guest opera To Die For [A Comedy] by Nederlandse Reisopera and Phion Symphony Orchestra. This UK premiere at the London Coliseum follows the world premiere and Dutch tour throughout April 2026. Created by British-Russian composer Elena Langer, this new opera was inspired by Nikolaj Erdman’s 1928 play The Suicide. It follows Semyon Podsekayev, whose existential crisis is thrust into the spotlight of reality TV, turning a personal crisis into a public spectacle. Laced with dark humour, the opera is conducted by Adrian Kelly and directed by Sam Brown. Reprising their roles from Nederlandse Reisopera are Paul Curievici as Semyon and James Hall as TV presenter Ivan Vane. They will be joined by Idunnu Münch as Kukoleva. Joining as guest chorus from the Netherlands is Consensus Vocalis.
Meanwhile, in Manchester, Einstein on the Beach is a new experiential production of Philip Glass and Robert Wilson’s iconic 1976 opera, created by English National Opera, Factory International, Park Avenue Armory, and Improbable. It will premiere in June 2027 at Aviva Studios, in partnership with BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Following the sell-out success of Satyagraha and Akhnaten, director Phelim McDermott returns to complete the Glass Portrait Trilogy. Continuing their creative partnership, he will be joined by designer Tom Pye. Tickets go on sale in Autumn 2026.
Top image: Angel’s Bone, ENO 2026-27 Season © English National Opera (image supplied)