The Stage

Nixon in China cancelled as ENO faces further frustration

Published Tuesday 3 February 2004 at 13:10 by Ruth Gillespie

English National Opera has been forced to cancel the complete run of Nixon in China due to continuing construction delays at its home the London Coliseum.

The company had already rescheduled Peter Sellars’ production, which was due to open both the newly restored venue and the 2004 Sky and Artsworld Season on February 7, after failing to meet deadlines for the 41 million refurbishment programme.

According to a highly placed opera source, it stood to lose 250,000 in ticket sales after announcing on January 12 that five out of the nine scheduled performances of Nixon in China would be cut. This figure is expected to double as a result of the further cancellations.

Sean Doran, ENO’s artistic director and chief executive, said: “We are grateful to our patrons for their understanding and support to date. They deserve our complete honesty and this is why we are making this announcement now.

“The company as a whole shares a feeling of frustration at being thwarted so very near to completion of the restoration. Director Peter Sellars, ENO music director Paul Daniel and the Nixon in China performers have been wonderfully sympathetic. It is my intention that this outstanding production and cast will return to our repertory in the future.”

ENO continued to operate from the Coliseum for three years while refurbishment was being carried out but moved to the Barbican for its autumn season last June, when the building finally went dark.

The Rhinegold, from Wagner’s Ring Cycle, will now be the first work performed by the opera company at the new Coliseum. It had been scheduled to open on February 23 but a spokesperson said it was not clear whether this would be possible and a date is expected to be confirmed next week.

As previously announced, the venue will reopen on February 21, although details of the event have yet to be revealed. The opera is offering patrons alternative tickets or credit notes for other ENO productions, as well as full refunds.