We are delighted to announce that English Touring Opera will be moving to a new home in Sheffield from Autumn 2024 as part of the Arts Council England Transfer Programme.

The decision is the result of an extensive and ongoing consultation process with ETO staff, performers and technical staff as well as partner venues and local government organisations. We are excited by the prospect of deepening our long-standing relationship with Sheffield Theatres and working with new partners like Music in the Round on broadening the scope and reach of our work, as well as joining a thriving cultural and creative industries sector which accounts for more than 7% of Sheffield’s working population – almost double the national average. The move will also allow us to build roots within the community and work with both new and existing local partners, including Sheffield Music Hub, on dedicated productions, workshops and projects for children and members of the community.

Sheffield is also ideally located for much of ETO’s touring cycle, especially for its other venues in the North of England, which include Buxton Opera House, York Theatre Royal, the Gala Theatre in Durham and Storyhouse in Chester.

The initial move will be to a temporary office base in Sheffield, allowing us to form deeper relationships within the city before moving to a permanent home there in 2025. Because of the long-term nature our planning cycle, ETO will continue to rehearse and open our tours at London’s Hackney Empire in 2025, with the ambition to open our tours in Sheffield from the Spring 2026 season.

We’re really excited about this next chapter for the organisation and look forward to building strong roots in the great city of Sheffield and continuing to tour outstanding productions across the country.