The English National Opera (ENO) resides in the London Coliseum on St Martin's Lane, which with around 2,350 seats is the largest theatre building in London. Built in 1904 by Frank Matcham in Edwardian style, the house is famous for its characteristic rotating globe sculpture on the roof. The ENO is the only major opera company in the world that performs all works in English as a principle — even Wagner's Ring Cycle is sung here in English. This linguistic accessibility makes the house a democratic counterpart to the Royal Opera House. The house produces about eight opera premieres per season and understands itself as Opera for everyone.
Atop the London Coliseum turns an illuminated globe — at the 1904 opening it made contemporaries believe the sphere itself rotated, though it stands still and only the ring of lights moves.
At a glance
- Type
- Opera house
- Location
- London, United Kingdom
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