Martyn Brabbins submitted his resignation tonight (15 October) after seven years as music director of English National Opera, saying that he could not continue to serve in a company whose board was proposing heavy personnel cuts to the orchestra and chorus.
He issued the following statement:
‘As Music Director of English
National Opera for the past seven years, and Head of its orchestra, chorus and
music staff, I cannot in all conscience continue to support the Board and
Management’s strategy for the future of the company. While my feelings on this
have been developing for some time, it reached its nadir this week, with the
internal announcement of severe cuts to its orchestra and chorus from 2024/25
season. In protest, this afternoon I tendered my resignation with immediate
effect.
‘Although making cuts has been
necessitated by Arts Council England’s interference in the company’s future,
the proposed changes would drive a coach and horses through the artistic
integrity of the whole of ENO as a performing company, while also singularly
failing to protect our musicians’ livelihoods.
‘This is a plan of managed
decline, rather than an attempt to rebuild the company and maintain the
world-class artistic output, for which ENO is rightly famed.
‘I urge ACE to reassess this
situation and recognise the devastating implications their funding decisions
will have on the lives of individual musicians, as well the reputation of the
UK on the international stage.
‘My wholehearted thanks and
support go out to the entire ENO team, especially those in the departments I
oversaw. I am incredibly proud of everything we accomplished, and I sincerely
hope that the company will find a path that puts exceptional artistry front and
centre of its future.’