ENO Screen begins with ENO’s award-winning Peter Grimes on 23 February 2014 and Terry Gilliam’s new production of Benvenuto Cellini in June 2014
English National Opera (ENO) and AltiveMedia have today (Thursday 12 December) launched ENO Screen – a partnership to broadcast ENO’s unique theatrical productions to 300 cinemas across the UK and Ireland and selected cinemas worldwide, extending the opportunity to see the most innovative contemporary opera in the world to audiences around the world.
ENO Screen will begin with live screenings of David Alden’s award-winning production of Britten’s Peter Grimes, starring Stuart Skelton as the ostracised fisherman, on 23 February 2014 and the new production of Berlioz’s Benvenuto Cellini, based on the colourful life of the 16thcentury Italian goldsmith and sculptor, directed by Monty Python legend Terry Gilliam in June. From autumn 2014, live screenings will extend to five or six productions a season.
Speaking of the new venture, 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.
“We have thought hard about whether to expand our activities into cinema and I believe in AltiveMedia we have now found the right partner to capture and promote ENO’s unique artistic personality in an exciting and dynamic way.
“Peter Grimes is a definitive work in ENO’s history and has proven to be one of our trail-blazing productions of recent years. It’s a wonderful way to launch this new initiative so close to Benjamin Britten’s centenary year.”
Craig Shurn, Managing Director of AltiveMedia, said: “We have a first class technical and creative team who will ensure this will be an amazing spectacle that shows off ENO at its very best.
“We felt that the opera offering in cinemas was incomplete without ENO’s unique take, so we’re delighted to be working with ENO to bring the most innovative, stunning productions of their type to the big screen. We’ll be reaching out to those who already love opera and to people who have never tried it before, helping to build on the growing demand for this kind of quality entertainment.”
ENO Screen broadcasts will be produced by Serpent Productions, led by MTV award-winning director and Grammy award nominee Andy Morahan and Producer Dione Orrom.
For further information and booking details go to www.eno.org/enoscreen