Established in honour of Sir Charles Mackerras’s remarkable legacy, the Fellowship has become a cornerstone of ENO’s artist development work, supporting and inspiring a new generation of conductors.
To date, six Mackerras Fellows have been appointed, including Olivia Clarke, Matthew Kofi Waldren, Fergus Macleod, Gergely Madaras, Valentina Peleggi and Toby Purser, many of whom have gone on to establish significant international careers.
“Sir Charles Mackerras remains one of the great figures in ENO’s history, and it’s an honour to continue his legacy by launching the first Mackerras Fellowship of my tenure. 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, and as a conductor. “Through an international search, we look forward to discovering an exceptional emerging conductor who will work alongside me and grow and learn at the level of artistic excellence required for this extraordinary opera company.”André de Ridder, Music Director Designate, ENO
Sir Charles Mackerras’s pioneering work and his deep association with ENO – where he served as Music Director from 1970 to 1977 – helped define the opera company’s reputation for musical excellence and innovation.
He is renowned for conducting Gilbert & Sullivan operas and for introducing the music of Leoš Janáček to international audiences, two strands which remain central to ENO’s repertoire.
"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 through this opportunity for the next generation of conductors."Jenny Mollica, Chief Executive Officer, ENO
Applications for the Mackerras Fellowship (2026–2028) open Monday 17 November 2025 and close on Monday 20 January 2026.
Full details and application guidelines are available on ENO’s Careers page.
The Mackerras Fellowship is supported by the Philip Loubser Foundation.
Press Release
Mackerras fellowship press release
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