English National Opera (ENO) has become the latest London arts company to announce it will take its productions to the big screen worldwide.
David Alden’s production of Benjamin Britten’s Peter Grimes will be the first ENO show to be screened live to 300 cinemas in the UK and more across the globe when it is broadcast on 23 February 2014.
Britten’s tale of an ostracised fisherman will be followed in June by Terry Gilliam’s production of Hector Berlioz’s Benvenuto Cellini.
Following the initial two productions, the London Coliseum-based company hopes to live screen five or six productions a season through this new partnership with AltiveMedia.
Speaking about the scheme, ENO Artistic Director John Berry said: “ENO’s entry into cinemas will be as distinctive as our live work in the theatre, creating a truly cinematic experience. Our productions are already seen worldwide in more than 30 cities and I believe that the cinema broadcasts will enable many more people to enjoy the excitement and passion of ENO’s work and will encourage those visiting London to come to the theatre and see an ENO opera first hand.”
The move by ENO, which has a reputation for creating theatrical and creative productions of world-class opera sung in English, follows successful forays into cinema by companies including the National Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe, the Royal Opera House and Digital Theatre.