English Touring Opera is one of the leading opera companies in the U.K.  For the past 26 years, ETO has made the diverse richness of opera accessible to as wide an audience as possible.  Our aim is to present vibrant, innovative high-quality opera and music theatre to audiences old and new in communities across England.  We seek to stimulate new access, understanding and appreciation of opera amongst our public, whilst promoting the development of the highest performance standards and enlivening career development opportunities for our artists.

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It’s an exciting time to be joining English Touring Opera.  Over the past few years ETO has staged more new productions per year; diversified our repertoire; been able to plan repertoire and tours earlier; and have extended our new approach to outreach. 

During that period we’ve enjoyed everything from glowing reviews in the national press for new productions; community operas in Sheffield parkland and Gloucester Cathedral, intimate recitals in the National Portrait Gallery; and introducing thousands of children to the world of opera. 

ETO has formed a number of fruitful partnerships with other companies that have been successful, both in sharing experience and in fulfilling our aims outlined above.  ETO toured a new production of Jonathan Dove’s Tobias and the Angel with the Young Vic which involved community choirs.  Through a co-production with the multi-racial opera company Pegasus Opera, we sought to provide opportunities for young black and ethnic minority singers and develop culturally diverse audiences.  A partnership with the London Handel Festival and Royal College of Music enabled us to get to know and work with their students.  A current project takes us into the realms of Jazz with the co-production of a new Opera, Bridgetower written by renowned jazz pianist Julian Joseph.

 Our commitment to education and outreach has been displayed by a huge newly commissioned community opera in Wolverhampton, involving newly commissioned work developed with mainstream and special schools and adult community groups, alongside refugee musicians, poets and dancers.  ETO recently toured a family opera, The (Little) Magic Flute to thirty venues, accompanies by specially designed school workshops.  We have also developed specific expertise in combing work with mainstream and special needs schools.

 The amazing audience response to our shows has provided the impetus for developing groups of ETO enthusiasts to help promote the company and our productions in their area.  This initiative contributed to our nomination for the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Audience Development Award. 

 Behind the scenes, ETO’s admin team of 10 (9 full-time and 1 part-time) cover everything from press and marketing, company management and production, education and outreach, audience development and fundraising, and, underpinning it all, finance.