18 November 2025
Newsdesk
The English National Opera (ENO) has announced the launch of an international search for the next ENO Mackerras Fellow, a move that celebrates the centenary of the birth of the legendary conductor Sir Charles Mackerras. This appointment will be the first under the company’s new Music Director Designate, André de Ridder.
The two-year Fellowship is a cornerstone of the ENO’s commitment to artist development, offering an outstanding emerging conductor hands-on experience across productions, rehearsals, and performances at the London Coliseum and in Greater Manchester.
Sir Charles Mackerras, who served as ENO’s Music Director from 1970 to 1977, is revered for defining the company’s reputation for excellence and innovation. He was pioneering in his work with Gilbert & Sullivan operas and introducing the music of Leoš Janácek to global audiences—both of which remain central to the ENO’s repertoire today.
André de Ridder expressed his honour in continuing this legacy: “Sir Charles Mackerras remains one of the great figures in ENO’s history... I had the privilege of meeting Sir Charles during my studies at the Royal Academy of Music where he gave masterclasses which had quite an impact on my own practice and thinking in music.”
De Ridder looks forward to discovering an "exceptional emerging conductor" through the international search who will work alongside him and learn at the level of artistic excellence the company demands.
Previous Mackerras Fellows—including Olivia Clarke, Matthew Kofi Waldren, and Valentina Peleggi—have gone on to establish significant international careers, underscoring the vital role the Fellowship plays in nurturing the future of operatic talent.
CEO Jenny Mollica affirmed the programme’s importance: “The Mackerras Fellowship is a vital part of ENO’s commitment to talent development and to the future of opera as a vibrant and daring artform. As we celebrate Sir Charles’s centenary, we’re proud to honour his spirit of mentorship and excellence.”
Applications for the Mackerras Fellowship (2026–2028), which is supported by the Philip Loubser Foundation, close on Monday, January 20, 2026.
