Factory International x English National Opera
Factory International are delighted to announce that we're working with the English National Opera (ENO) as part of the major new partnership plans between the company and the city-region of Greater Manchester
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We'll be working on a number of projects with the English National Opera, encompassing new productions as well as talent and skills development opportunities.
New productions
We're working on two new productions – the UK premiere of Du Yun and Royce Vavrek's Angel’s Bone ând a new production of Philip Glass and Robert Wilson’s opera Einstein on the Beach.
Angel’s Bone is a Pulitzer prize-winning contemporary opera by Chinese American composer Du Yun and librettist Royce Vavrek. A dark fable exploring modern-day slavery and human trafficking, it draws inspiration from a range of musical genres from classical to cabaret and punk. It will be produced by ENO in collaboration with Factory International, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, and presented at Aviva Studios in May 2026.
Following the international success of Satyagraha and Akhnaten, a new production of Philip Glass and Robert Wilson’s opera Einstein on the Beach is in development, presented with Factory International, Improbable and Park Avenue Armory New York and directed by Improbable Theatre’s Phelim McDermott. Einstein on the Beach is set to premiere in Spring 2027.
“We are delighted to welcome ENO to Greater Manchester, and to be developing a significant partnership with them, exploring the future of opera and music theatre at Aviva Studios. Alongside truly exciting new production of Angel’s Bone, Einstein on the Beach, and new works in the future, we also very much look forward to working with the ENO to develop training and employment opportunities for the people of Manchester through Factory Academy.”
John McGrath, Artistic Director & Chief Executive, Factory International
Training
We're also collaborating through our award-winning Factory Academy training programme, offering vocational training opportunities in opera for young people living in Greater Manchester from backgrounds underrepresented in the arts. From Spring 2025, participants will develop skills in technical roles and producing, working with ENO and Factory International on a range of joint opportunities, including as part of the creative and technical teams delivering Philip Glass’s Einstein on the Beach.
Developing New Work
Opera Factory GM will see ENO and Factory International co-curate an ongoing series of cross-disciplinary research and development labs, designed to explore new forms of opera, from innovations in mixed reality to immersive environments.
Image: Factory Academy Event Ready Course @ Lee Baxter
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