1898
Lilian Baylis, at the age of 23, presents a series of opera recitals at the Old Vic theatre in the Waterloo Road.

1912
She goes on to establish a theatre company at the Old Vic, initially performing cut-down versions of Shakespeare.

1928
Lilian Baylis takes on a small group of dancers: later renamed the Vic-Wells Ballet, the company eventually moved to Covent Garden to become the Royal Ballet.

1931
Sadler's Wells Theatre re-opens and the Vic-Wells Opera Company is formed. Initially the Company performs at both the Old Vic and Sadler’s Wells, alternating with straight theatre.

1937
Lilian Baylis dies.

1939–1945
During World War II Sadler's Wells is requisitioned and the Company goes on weekly tour around the country, initially based in Burnley and later at the New Theatre, St Martin’s Lane.

1945
Sadler's Wells re-opens with Britten's Peter Grimes, introducing the first English opera composer since Purcell to receive international acclaim.

1968
Managing Director Stephen Arlen moves Sadler's Wells Opera from Sadler's Wells Theatre to the London Coliseum.

1974
Sadler's Wells Opera becomes English National Opera (ENO).

1984
ENO is the first British opera company to tour the United States.

1990
ENO is the first major foreign opera company to tour the former Soviet Union.

1992
ENO acquires the freehold to the London Coliseum.

2000
The Company embarks on a four-year restoration programme on its home, the London Coliseum, supported by English Heritage, The National Lottery through Arts Council England, Vernon & Hazel Ellis, and a number of generous trust and individual donors.

2004
The magnificently restored London Coliseum re-opens to the public.

2009
ENO wins all four UK opera awards and a new production of Peter Grimes, directed by David Alden with Stuart Skelton and Amanda Roocroft, receives universal acclaim and sells out.

2009
In a world first for broadcasting, Jonathan Miller’s new production of Puccini’s La bohème is screened live on Sky Arts 2 and Sky Arts HD while live backstage streamed on Sky Arts 1. 

2010
ENO stages its first site specific opera at Great Eastern Quay in London’s Royal Albert Basin, Newham. The Duchess of Malfi is a collaboration between ENO and theatre company Punchdrunk and is also the subject of a Channel 4 documentary.

2011
ENO collaborates with broadcaster BSkyB to create the world’s first opera live in 3D - Hollywood filmmaker Mike Figgis’s staging of Lucrezia Borgia.

ENO wins The Royal Philharmonic Society Audience Development Award for reaching new audiences through The Duchess of Malfi and the Access All Arias - a free scheme through people can book pairs of discounted tickets, access free social events and buy half-priced programmes.