Award-winning opera and theatre director Daniel Kramer has been named the new Artistic Director of English National Opera.
The British-American director will take up the helm of the London Coliseum’s esteemed company from 1 August 2016 following former Artistic Director John Berry’s 2015 departure.
Speaking about his forthcoming role, Kramer said: “I am honoured to join this wonderful Company. The core of English National Opera is its unique Company spirit – its award-winning orchestra and chorus and its incredible staff, stage and house crew. 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. We are here to play and sing for you. I hope you will join us in this new chapter of our evolution.”
Kramer first worked for the ENO in 2008 when he was selected as part of ENO’s young director’s initiative for which he directed the South Bank Show Award-winning Punch And Judy at the Young Vic. His other ENO credits include Bartok’s Duke Bluebeard’s Castle and the forthcoming summer production of Wagner’s Tristan And Isolde.
Crossing the worlds of both theatre and opera, Kramer is a former Associate at the Gate Theatre and Young Vic, as well a Creative Associate at the Royal Shakespeare Company.
The venue’s 2018/2019 season will be Kramer’s first programme as Artistic Director.