The English National Opera (ENO) is set to stage a brand-new production of Christoph Willibald Gluck’s masterpiece, Iphigénie en Tauride, at the London Coliseum this autumn from 6 to 14 November 2026. Widely regarded as Gluck’s finest achievement, the rarely performed opera tells the compelling story of Iphigénie, who was secretly saved from sacrifice by the goddess Diana and now serves as her priestess. Her secluded world is suddenly upended by the arrival of her tormented brother, Oreste, as the siblings journey toward reconciliation and divine mercy.
Olivier Award-winning director Lyndsey Turner takes the helm for this production, returning to the ENO following her acclaimed 2019 staging of Noye’s Fludde. The award-winning Orchestra of the ENO will be led by renowned Baroque specialist David Bates, making his highly anticipated company debut. Sung in its original French libretto with English surtitles, the production also features set and costume design by Soutra Gilmour and lighting design by Tim Mitchell.
At the emotional core of the production is the powerful relationship between brother and sister. Distinguished British mezzo-soprano Christine Rice, fresh from her standout performance in the ENO’s Olivier Award-winning production of Dead Man Walking, stars as Iphigénie. She is joined by acclaimed baritone Jacques Imbrailo as Oreste. The stellar principal cast is completed by Nick Pritchard as Pylade, Morgan Pearse as Thoas, and a talented ensemble featuring Amy Holyland, Olivia Rose Tringham, Ava Dodd, and Robert Winslade Anderson alongside the Chorus of the ENO.
Tickets for the four-night run start at £25. Continuing the ENO's commitment to accessibility, free tickets are available for under-21s across all levels of the theatre, alongside special discounts for visitors aged 21 to 35. Performances run from 6 to 14 November 2026, offering London audiences a rare opportunity to experience this theatrical and musical tour de force.
