The Coliseum – English National Opera

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Now the home of English National Opera (ENO), the London Coliseum was built for Sir Oswald Stoll by the famous British theatre architect Frank Matcham. Sir Oswald wanted to provide variety entertainment for the family and built theatres for that purpose - this one being the first theatre with a lift in Europe.

Composers want their words to be understood by the audience, which is why ENO performs in English. It is also probably why they are the busiest opera company in Britain, presenting about twenty productions a year to over 450,000 people in the capital's largest theatre. They encourage audiences to increase their enjoyment through understanding the words. This one point may ensure the future of opera in the UK. ENO is at the heart of British operatic life woring also outside the London Coliseum, with projects designed to reach all ages – pursuing the ideal of drama through music.

English National Opera was founded in 1931 by Lilian Baylis as the Vic-Wells Opera, named after the Old Vic and Sadler's Wells theatres, both of which she managed. The company name was changed to English National Opera in 1974 having occupied that position for almost half a century.

Turning points in the company's history have been marked by great productions: the world premiere of Peter Grimes in 1945 signalled the return to Sadler's Wells after the war; the move to the Coliseum was heralded by The Mastersingers of Nuremberg and completed by the triumphant achievements of Prokofiev's War and Peace and Wagner's Ring Cycle.

Each season ENO commissions an opera from a British composer, and the Contemporary Opera Studio encourages the creation of smaller-scale opera with the participation of writers, producers, musicians and designers. The education and outreach team, the Baylis Programme, works with all sections of Britain's multi-culural society.

In 1992 they bought the freehold of the Coliseum, to ensure the company's future and also securing the theatre for the nation. Eno was awarded - the Royal Philharmonic Society Music Award, 1991, for Opera.