English National Opera has announced the appointment of André de Ridder as its next Music Director, marking a significant moment in the company’s evolving national strategy. De Ridder, a conductor noted for his adventurous programming and cross-genre collaborations, will begin as Music Director Designate in September 2025 before fully stepping into the role in 2027.
A Familiar Face Returns to Lead
De Ridder is no stranger to the ENO stage. Earlier in his career, he conducted the UK premiere of Gerald Barry’s The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant in 2005 and later returned for Michel van der Aa’s Sunken Garden in 2013. Reflecting on his new appointment, de Ridder said, “It is an honour to have been chosen by English National Opera as their new Music Director. I’ve been privileged to have experienced working with ENO early in my career, which has informed and inspired my own approach to repertoire, new work and always exploring perspectives on bringing great opera to wide audiences.”
“It is an honour to have been chosen by English National Opera as their new Music Director.”
André de Ridder
He succeeds Martyn Brabbins, who resigned from the position in October 2023. Brabbins’ departure came in protest at significant budget cuts and operational restructuring within the company, moves which had drawn widespread criticism from across the classical music community. ENO’s appointment of de Ridder is seen as a step towards stabilising leadership and reaffirming its musical identity.
Bridging Traditions and Experimentation
Known for a repertoire that stretches from Mozart and Britten to Damon Albarn and Max Richter, de Ridder has carved a distinctive path through both traditional and contemporary landscapes. He is currently General Music Director of Theater Freiburg in Germany and has conducted at major European houses, including Dutch National Opera and Finnish National Opera. His UK presence is also longstanding, with regular engagements at the Southbank Centre and with orchestras such as the BBC Symphony and the Hallé.
His first engagement as Music Director Designate will be in February 2026, conducting Kurt Weill’s Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny. ENO Artistic Director Annilese Miskimmon described de Ridder as “a passionate advocate for both classical repertoire and contemporary work,” noting that his appointment “will make the next years truly industry and audience leading.”
An Expanding National Role
The new season coincides with ENO’s continued efforts to expand beyond its London base, following the agreement with Arts Council England that secures its future across two cities. The 2025–26 programme includes performances in Greater Manchester, including a new staging of Britten’s Albert Herring at the Lowry, and a semi-staged concert of Così fan tutte at Bridgewater Hall.
ENO has also announced several new productions in the coming year, including Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking, a UK premiere of Du Yun’s Angel’s Bone at Aviva Studios in Manchester, and a revival of Carmen. A partnership with Sky Arts will see the creation of a televised concert Mozart’s Women, while the company will also appear at the BBC Proms in Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk.
Artistic Director Annilese Miskimmon described de Ridder as “a passionate advocate for both classical repertoire and contemporary work,” noting that his appointment “will make the next years truly industry and audience leading.”
Education and Access at the Forefront
Alongside its mainstage work, ENO continues to prioritise access and education. Free tickets for under-21s will now be extended to Greater Manchester, while national outreach initiatives such as ENO Breathe and Finish This… will continue to support wellbeing and musical literacy across England. The Perfect Pitch project, exploring the intersection of opera and football culture in the north-west, will culminate in a large-scale performance in 2026.
De Ridder’s arrival comes at a time of recalibration for ENO, which has had to navigate a shifting funding landscape and ongoing debates about the national role of large arts institutions. With his international pedigree and a track record of bold artistic choices, his leadership signals a willingness to take creative risks while reinforcing the ENO’s commitment to innovation, access and musical excellence.
The full 2025–26 season goes on public sale from 4 June 2025.
Featured Image: André de Ridder – Courtesy of English National Opera © Hugo Glendinning
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