Today, 28 February 2017, English National Opera (ENO) is pleased to announce that Sally Burgess is joining the ENO Board of Trustees with immediate effect.

Highly acclaimed mezzo soprano Sally Burgess began her long and renowned relationship with ENO in 1978 as Zerlina (Don Giovanni). She has since returned to perform over 40 roles with the company, the most notable being Carmen, Octavian (Rosenkavalier) and Judith (Bluebeard’s Castle). Her distinguished career includes performances at most of the world’s major opera houses, including The Metropolitan Opera, New York; Bayerisches Staatsoper, Munich; Opera National de Bastille, Paris; The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; and Houston Grand Opera. On the concert platform she has collaborated with many eminent conductors including Sir Mark Elder, Sir Charles Mackerras and Daniel Barenboim. Sally is Vocal Professor at the Royal College of Music and Professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She is an internationally sought after teacher of voice and stagecraft and leads masterclasses, workshops, competitions and regularly directs opera scenes across Europe, Russia and South Africa. In 2011 she was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Music (FRCM).

Commenting on the appointment, ENO Chair, Dr Harry Brunjes says, ‘I am delighted that Sally Burgess has kindly accepted our invitation to join the board. As a company we will all benefit enormously from Sally’s expertise and experience. It will be a privilege to work alongside a singer and a performer with such a deserved reputation in the opera world.’

ENO Artistic Director Daniel Kramer commented, ‘I am thrilled to welcome Sally back to ENO, and certain that she will be a huge asset to our Board. She brings with her a deep understanding of the company, its history and its values to support the artistic team with long-term strategy and planning.’

ENO’s Chief Executive, Cressida Pollock said, ‘We are all looking forward to working with Sally, and to the numerous ways in which her significant creative expertise and experience, alongside her passion for the company, will strengthen ENO’s Board.’

Sally Burgess commented: ‘I am delighted to join the Board of English National Opera, and I look forward to contributing insights gained from my experience as both a performer and a vocal specialist. ENO is a company I have performed over 40 roles with, and so I know first-hand how wonderful it is to work alongside their award winning Orchestra and Chorus as well as their exceptional production and technical teams.’