Remember the turmoil when ETO founder James Conway got rid of half his orchestra and replaced them with “more diverse” musicians?

Well, Conway has now given way to his former publicist, Robin Norton-Hale.

She will become general manager from July.

From the PR spurt:

Norton-Hale, who has a 20-year relationship with English Touring Opera, first worked there as press and marketing officer early in his career.

It was with English Touring Opera that she had her first directing opportunities, and is now a regular collaborator in her capacity as consultant and artist. Most recently, for the company’s fall 2022 season, Norton-Hale wrote the libretto for an upcoming opera for young people, with a score composed by Rosabella Gregory.

In her new role as Managing Director, Norton-Hale will build on the company’s success over the past 20 years, expanding the repertoire, exploring new partnerships with organizations and a wide range of composers, writers and of performers, while continuing to present audience favorites through inventive and alternative approaches.

Robin Norton-Hale said: “I am delighted to join English Touring Opera, whose mission to make exceptional opera accessible to the widest possible audience has been an inspiration to me throughout my career. Like many others across the country, it was through ETO’s brilliant productions that I first encountered devastating musical dramas (especially Janáček) and lesser-known Baroque masterpieces, who, under the fearless leadership of James Conway, appropriated ETO. It is an honor to have the opportunity to build on English Touring Opera’s reputation for outstanding artistry and commitment to opera for all, in particular their brilliant new work for young people, and I am very excited about what the future holds.

James Conway said: “I have a warm feeling welcoming Robin back to English Touring Opera. Few take the company’s mission so seriously. Regardless of the artistic distinction of his work with his own company, Robin began by finding and meeting ETO audiences all over the country. I am convinced that his concern for the public and the artists will lead English Touring Opera to create an opera that moves.