Martyn Brabbins extends contract with English National Opera through to spring 2022

We are thrilled to announce that British conductor Martyn Brabbins’ contract as the ENO’s Music Director has been extended by a further two seasons through to Spring 2022, six seasons in all.

Martyn is an inspirational force in British music, highly regarded as one of the country’s leading conductors, and integral to ENO’s artistic team. Under his tenure as Music Director, ENO has continued to develop as a centre for excellence in music making, bringing a fresh approach to the repertoire and forging ground-breaking collaborations with contemporary composers.

ENO’s 18/19 season, the first Martyn has fully programmed alongside Artistic Director Daniel Kramer, will see him conduct three pieces; a brand-new production of Strauss’ Salome opening on 28 September, a contemporary staging of Britten’s War Requiem and the world premiere of Iain Bell’s Jack the Ripper: The Women of Whitechapel.

This month also sees the release of a Havergal Brian CD on the Dutton Vocalion label, featuring the ENO Chorus and Orchestra and a British cast conducted by Martyn Brabbins.  The disc includes the first ever recording of Havergal Brian’s Vision of Cleopatra.

Stuart Murphy, Chief Executive Officer of ENO added:

“I’m sure I speak for everyone in ENO when I say how delighted I am that Martyn has signed for an extra two seasons as Music Director with English National Opera. His past two seasons have been a joy for audiences and everyone who works with him – from the orchestra, to those on stage to those behind stage and throughout the company. Martyn lives and breathes those values of ENO we all hold dear – he is obsessed with producing work of the highest quality, he thrives on the contribution of others in the orchestra, in the artistic team and beyond, and he is committed to bringing on diversity and new talent. He is also an incredibly nice person. This further adds to ENO’s continued stability and commitment to world class excellence. ENO is financially stable, and artistically and musically planned for several years ahead, and Martyn’s extension further adds to this.”

Speaking of his contract extension, Martyn Brabbins said:

“I am delighted and honoured to continue as Music Director of the much-loved ENO. Working alongside Daniel, Stuart and the inspiring and dedicated team of people who make ENO so special, I look forward to continuing to make ground-breaking opera, of the highest musical quality”.

Daniel Kramer, Artistic Director of ENO said:

“I am thrilled that Martyn will remain in the artistic leadership team at ENO, and that we will continue to collaborate on bringing stimulating, daring, productions of opera to the widest possible audience.”

Dr Harry Brunjes, Chairman of ENO said:

“It is wonderful that Martyn will remain in post as Music Director through to 2022. He has successfully ensured the musical quality of ENO, and his continued presence marks stability within the company.”