ENO announces joint recipients of the ENO Charles Mackerras Fellowship

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  • Conductors Toby Purser and Matthew Waldren appointed as joint recipients of the ENO Charles Mackerras Fellowship. This is the first time that the award will be shared by two conductors.
  • The award is a joint initiative between ENO and the Philip Loubser Foundation, and celebrates the legacy of Sir Charles Mackerras.
  • The ENO Charles Mackerras Fellowship offers exceptionally talented young conductors the opportunity to work and develop at ENO, mentored by ENO Music Director Mark Wigglesworth.
  • Former recipients of the ENO Charles Mackerras Fellowship include inaugural recipient Gergely Madaras and current ENO Charles Mackerras Fellow Fergus Macleod.

English National Opera (ENO) today (26 January 2016) announced conductors Toby Purser and Matthew Waldren as the joint recipients of the ENO Charles Mackerras Fellowship. They will take up their positions in September 2016. Both Toby and Matthew will have the opportunity to assist on ENO productions, and will have full access to the casting, staging and production departments at ENO alongside the opportunity to travel with the Music Director and make important contacts across the international opera scene.

A final shortlist of six international candidates interviewed and auditioned for the Fellowship in January at Henry Wood Hall. The auditions involved rehearsing with singers and the ENO Orchestra, who also provided feedback on each candidate. On the panel were Mark Wigglesworth (ENO Music Director), Martin Fitzpatrick (ENO Head of Music), Sophie Joyce (ENO Head of Casting), Susan Bullock (singer), Janice Graham (ENO Orchestra leader) and David Nice (arts journalist). ENO Senior Artistic Advisor John McMurray, Michael Loubser and three board members from the Philip Loubser Foundation also oversaw the process in an advisory capacity.

Matthew Waldren said: “Having assisted at ENO last year, I am thrilled to have been asked to return to the Company as a Sir Charles Mackerras Fellow. To work further with this world-class orchestra, chorus and team of musicians – and to be supported and guided by Mark Wigglesworth – will be an absolute privilege. I relish the opportunity of contributing to the artistic excellence of ENO, and look forward to embracing the many opportunities that this Fellowship presents.”

Toby Purser said: “Having had the pleasure and privilege of both assisting and conducting at ENO, I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to begin a more formal relationship with the Company. The chance to work with this wonderful Company, its superb orchestra and chorus and in this beautiful theatre under the guidance of Mark Wigglesworth and the ENO team is one that I am already looking forward to eagerly.”

ENO Music Director Mark Wigglesworth said: “The English National Opera and the Philip Loubser Foundation partnership is unique in enabling seriously gifted conductors a real opportunity to develop. The panel was unanimous that both Matthew Waldren and Toby Purser revealed the right combination of potential and skill to benefit from this amazing opportunity, and so sharing the Fellowship was the inevitable and exciting outcome of this year’s audition process. I look forward to welcoming these two exceptional talents to English National Opera.”