On the 10 October ENO will present a very special evening of performances celebrating the last 50 years of opera in residence at the London Coliseum. In 1968 English National Opera, then called Sadler’s Wells Opera, moved into the London Coliseum, performing John Gielgud’s production of Don Giovanni on 21 August of that year. The theatre has been home to ENO ever since.

The performance will feature moments from operas that have played an important part in ENO’s history, including Britten’s Peter Grimes, Handel’s Alcina, Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe Verdi’s Rigoletto and Wagner’s Ring Cycle. Artists appearing on the night include baritones Alan Opie and Andrew Shore, tenors Nicky Spence and Gwyn Hughes Jones, mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly and sopranos Natalya Romaniw, Sarah Tynan and Claire Rutter, as well as ENO Harewood Artists and the award-winning ENO Chorus and Orchestra.

Michael Ball, star of ENO’s 2018 Chess will make an appearance, celebrating the tradition of the company presenting musicals at the venue dating back to 1970’s Kiss Me, Kate. HRH Princess Alexandra, Patron of English National Opera, will attend.

The iconic Frank Matcham-designed theatre, the largest in the West End, has played host to variety theatre, music hall and a cinema, with an original intention that it be pro bono publico (for the public good), a purpose that remains central to ENO’s work today. The evening will raise income for future ENO learning and talent development work.

Tickets from £15-125 (plus booking fee)