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Over 100 Letters Urge ENO Management to Save ENO as a Full-Time Company with a Full-Time Orchestra

Add your voice to the call, by writing to English National Opera’s management urging them to reconsider proposals to axe 19 jobs and go part-time.

Published: 16 November 2023 | 12:21 PM Updated: 15 December 2023 | 4:34 PM
A crowd march with union banners, including placards that read
Following a campaign by ENO and the trade unions the MU, Equity and BECTU – ENO reached a new funding settlement with Arts Council England. Photo credit: Musicians’ Union


English National Opera (ENO) is planning to axe 19 posts in the orchestra and employ the remaining musicians on part-time contracts. Some musicians will lose 70% of their work.

The MU has received over 100 letters from musicians and audiences urging ENO to reconsider these proposals.

Please write to the ENO’s management urging them to reconsider their proposals using our template letter.

What is happening at ENO?

Last November, Arts Council England (ACE) announced that it would cut all of English National Opera's National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) funding and said to move outside of London.

Following a campaign by ENO and the trade unions the MU, Equity and BECTU – ENO reached a new funding settlement with Arts Council England.

However, management now wants to axe 19 posts in the orchestra and make the company part-time in new proposals that have been discussed with ACE.

The MU rejects these ENO’s proposals and is fighting to keep members at ENO in full-time jobs on full time pay.

Save jobs at ENO, take action now!

Write to English National Opera’s management urging them to reconsider proposals to axe 19 jobs and go part-time.

Use our template letter, and remember to add your experiences as a musician, audience member or donor.

Send your letter to london@theMU.org with ‘FAO ENO Management’ in the subject line, and the union will organise a mass delivery.

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