English National Opera ‘sacks’ performers during interval

Patrick Sawer and

Max Stephens

SINGERS and musicians at the English National Opera were handed redundancy notices midway through the final performance of its acclaimed production of

Formal redundancy letters began to be sent out shortly before the curtain for the final performance of the opera’s run had gone up. But many of the performers only saw the details of their redundancy during the interval, when they opened the notifications backstage. Despite this, they went back on stage to finish the performance, winning plaudits at the London Coliseum.

A source told the Slipped Disc classical music news site: “Members of the chorus and orchestra started receiving formal redundancy notices from the ENO ‘Director Of People’ Denise Mackenzie this evening – beginning in the hour before curtain-up of the final performance of and continuing through the evening. Many singers and players first saw their sacking emails during the interval.”

The source, described as a “trusted insider”, added: “The conductor, Joana Carneiro, was horrified when she learned what was taking place, and then astonished that the performance showed no signs whatever of the turmoil being inflicted on the performers in real time.”

Figures across the classical music sector have expressed their horror at the treatment of the ENO’s performers. Susan McCulloch, a renowned soprano and vocal teacher, said: “That the members were served redundancy notices mid-performance is cruel, wicked and thoughtless beyond belief.”

The redundancy notices were sent out on Thursday, shortly after musicians at the ENO had voted to call off strike action after reaching an agreement with the company.

Following negotiations with the

‘That the members were served redundancy notices mid-performance is cruel, wicked and thoughtless’

Musicians’ Union, musicians will still be made redundant, but will be rehired at a later date with an additional month’s guaranteed work, minimum redundancy payment and “improvements to the proposed contract”.

The ENO has been under pressure since it was removed from Arts Council England’s national portfolio last year, losing its £12.8 million annual grant and told to move outside London to qualify for future grants. Following criticism, Arts Council England announced extra money and more time for the ENO to find a new home.

The ENO has been approached for comment.

Singers and musicians returned to stage to finish the show, despite being notified of redundancy

The performance of The Handmaid’s Tale showed no signs of the ‘turmoil being inflicted on the performers’, winning them plaudits from the audience at the London Coliseum