Opera to slash 10% of workforce

Recent productions have included Gaddafi: A Living Myth

The English National Opera is to cut 10% of its staff, axing about 45 jobs.

The ENO said the losses, to include performers and technical staff, were needed to make it "artistically and financially viable in the long term".

It is aiming to cut fixed costs - £20m of its £30m turnover - saying it feared reduced funding if government money to the Arts Council did not increase.

Bectu union said it would "strongly" fight any cuts. Union leaders are due to meet ENO management next week.

In a letter to staff, ENO chief executive Loretta Tomasi warned of the cuts at a time of "box office uncertainties".

It is thought the opera will reduce core orchestra and chorus members, employing more freelancers for large productions.

It currently retains a 50-strong chorus regardless of the size of productions.

Salaries and overheads account for two-thirds of its £30m turnover.

"Many options have been considered to achieve increased flexibility and a decrease in these 'fixed' costs and, whilst we believe it is vital that ENO retains a strong core of staff, the contractual overhaul includes the potential loss of around 45 jobs across the company," said Ms Tomasi.

'Olympics costs'

Gerry Morrissey, assistant general secretary of Bectu, which represents technical and support staff, said: "On the face of it, it seems as if management is wanting to casualise its workforce."

He added: "This announcement comes on the back of the government reducing grants to the arts over the last couple of years and most companies are, at best, expecting a standstill budget for the next financial year.

"We cannot help but believe part of this is down to expenditure on the Olympic Games by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport."

He said the government had failed to consider the "significant impact" organisations like the ENO had on the economy.

The opera company collected two honours at last week's prestigious Laurence Olivier theatre awards.