ENO critical of ‘nonsensical’ ACE analysis plan

English National Opera (ENO) has responded to Arts Council England’s (ACE) plans to run an independent analysis of opera and musical theatre, describing the organisation’s decision to complete the research after funding decisions have been made as ‘nonsensical’.

The London-based opera company released a statement via Twitter yesterday afternoon in response the ACE’s confirmation that the organisation will commission an independent piece of analysis focusing on consideration of opera and music theatre in relation to the organisation’s 10-year strategy, Let’s Create.

The ENO is critical of the ACE’s approach, saying: ‘It is nonsensical to do a review after allocating funds. It needed to be done beforehand, based on evidence - not pre-existing literature - in consultation with the industry and using all the audience insight that opera companies have sent to ACE as part of their annual reporting requirements.’

This exchange follows the release of a joint statement released on Tuesday by the Royal Opera House, Glyndebourne, Opera North, English National Opera (ENO), English Touring Opera and Welsh National Opera (WNO) calling for ACE to develop: ‘a strategy for opera provision based on industry consultation, audience insight and data.’

The company said the ACE's funding decisions for 2023-6, which caused uproar when they were announced last November, will ‘create lasting damage to the opera ecosystem, and these decisions should have been strategic, coordinated and informed.

‘Let's Create is a broad strategy which sets success criteria for investment that ACE themselves have not followed. Strategies for art forms are essential and the lack of them is why confidence in ACE among audiences and opera companies is currently in a difficult place.’