THE
MAKING OF A NIGHT AT THE COLISEUM By Erik Hendry
London Coliseum, home of the ENO
As you settle into your seat at the London Coliseum to hear a performance
by English National Opera, have you ever thought how it all came
to be there - the building, the particular opera, the cast, orchestra
and scenery? It all seems so well established on the night of the
performance that we almost take for granted the making of the spectacle
we are about to behold. However, to do so would mean we arrive for
the performance without knowing the fascinating story of how the
performance arrived for us.
The London Coliseum opened on Christmas Eve 1904. Extravagantly
decorated, it was the largest and best furnished theatre in London.
Built as the jewel in the crown of music hall owner Oswold Stoll,
it was intended to surpass music hall and entertain Edwardian London
with lavish stage settings and the proverbial cast of hundreds.
Opera was established at the Coliseum in 1968 when Sadler's Wells
Opera, later to become English National Opera, took a lease and converted
the theatre into an opera house. Thus began one of the most successful
times in it's history which continues unabated. And this leads us
to the present performance and how it was all put together.
ENO opePrice a five year opera planning cycle in order to get the
best possible casting, director and conductor and make the fullest
use of the core team of singers who are company principals. There
are 22 at present on contracts of two-three years and as ENO has an
ethos of nurturing British talent, these singers can expect to have
their vocal repertoire expanded and roles consolidated during their
time with the company. They are given music, language and drama coaching.
Distinguished guest artists come for specific roles and they need
to be booked well in advance.
Acknowledgements: "A History
of the London Coliseum 1904 - 1981" by Richard Jarman. Ms Jane Livingstone,
Head of Press, English National Opera.
