Simon Jackson

When did you join the orchestra?
I joined ENO in 1988

Favourite ENO opera?
My favourite operas are Parsifal, Marriage of Figaro and Wozzeck.

Best ENO moment?
One of my most memorable ENO moments was when I was in the men’s band room prior to going onstage to perform in the stage band of Peter Grimes. About ten minutes before we were due to perform, a double bass colleague asked if we could play through the stage band music to warm-up. Unfortunately, his music fell behind a bench that was attached to the wall, so the pit manager had to locate a crowbar and we wrenched the bench away from the wall thus arriving onstage with seconds to spare having successfully retrieved the music.

How did you start?
I started learning to play the violin at the age of 5. My first teacher was my father.

Passion outside of opera?
My hobbies are cooking – particularly very spicy curries – and walking my dog, Ben.