In November 2025, ENO celebrates the centenary of the birth of eminent musician, conductor and former ENO Music Director Sir Charles Mackerras (1925-2010).

In 1948, he joined Sadler’s Wells Opera, later to be renamed ENO, where he rapidly gained a reputation as a conductor in a wide range of operatic repertoire, becoming Music Director of ENO in 1970, a post held until 1977.

As well as working with ENO, Sir Charles was closely associated with many other musical organisations, in particular Welsh National Opera, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. In 1980, he broke new ground when he became the first non-British conductor to conduct the Last Night of the Proms.