English National Opera (ENO) has announced Daniel Kramer as its next artistic director, following the departure of John Berry in July last year. Kramer takes over at a tumultuous time for the company with strikes, budget cuts and the resignation of music director Mark Wigglesworth buffeting ENO over the past 12 months.
Kramer first worked with ENO through its young director’s initiative back in 2008, and has directed several shows for them. Most notable were the award-winning Punch and Judy in 2008 and Duke Bluebeard’s Castle in 2009. The latter was a real marmite moment, with some critics praising the show’s strangeness while Slipped Disc’s Norman Lebrecht called it ‘incoherent’.
Now, six years later, Kramer finds himself in charge at ENO and with a huge job on his hands. ‘The core of English National Opera is its unique Company spirit,’ said the artistic director. ‘My intention is to champion this family and to inspire audiences night after night with a thrilling programme of musical diversity, attracting audiences from opera to operetta through to popular music. We will work, too, with the wider community outside the Coliseum, to develop emerging talent and new audiences.’
Kramer takes up his new post in August, with 2018-19 the first season he will programme himself. He is currently directing Tristan and Isolde at ENO with former ENO music director Edward Gardner conducting.
eno.org
