English National Opera welcomes a new generation of opera audiences with the return of AbracadOpera!

Wed 30 Sep 2026

Press

Mind-blowing music, magical adventures, and an evil Queen out to cause trouble – it’s time for AbracadOpera!

English National Opera (ENO) is expanding its work to make opera more accessible to children by presenting AbracadOpera! as a live event at the London Coliseum on 12 February 2027. The return of the children’s show is part of ENO’s wider learning and participation programme, which engages thousands of children and young people each year through schools, community projects and creative learning initiatives. This expanded, interactive event reflects ENO’s continued commitment to building future audiences for opera through education and participation.

Designed to introduce children to opera, AbracadOpera! is aimed at primary schools, home learning students and their carers. The show brings to life the spectacle, drama and mischief of opera, perfect for young learners. All children attending can come for free under ENO’s Under 21s ticket scheme, with teachers and accompanying adult tickets priced at £29, enabling an accessible experience for all.

Hosted by award-winning educational entertainer MC Grammar, the show will blend aspects of the original comedy-musical-drama screened on stage (aired in 2022 on Sky Kids) with live performances and participation moments. Performing alongside the award-winning Chorus and Orchestra of ENO will be soprano Nazan Fikret with baritone and former Harewood Artist Alex Otterburn.

Conceived and written by BAFTA-winner Andrew McCaldon, the show will combine imaginative storytelling and live music performed by the full orchestra, to introduce children to opera in an engaging and accessible way.

Created with the aim of welcoming the next generation to opera, the one-off, 45-minute family programme was originally produced by ENO and Somethin’ Else TV Studio for Sky Kids. It brought together ENO’s Orchestra and Chorus, Sky Kids talent and ENO Engage partner schools to create an epic adventure into the world of operatic music and performance, discovered through the opera’s best characters.

‘Where else could you see Mozart’s fearsome Queen of the Night join forces with Rossini’s fun-loving Figaro for a magical race against time? With a brilliant story, humour, adventure and some extraordinary singing, AbracadOpera! is a wonderful first adventure into opera. We want young people to come away surprised by what opera can be – exciting, thrilling, funny and full of possibility. We can’t wait to welcome children and young people to the London Coliseum and share in their first experience of opera'.

Beth Warnock, Director of ENO Engage

Booking is now open for schools, and public booking opens today, Tuesday 29 September.

The AbracadOpera! live event will also be presented in Greater Manchester as part of ENO’s 2027/28 Season. Further information on venue and dates will be announced in due course.

Book for AbracadOpera

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