Successful productions failed to hide organisational crisis, says Rupert Christiansen

[Daily Telegraph, 24 December 2005]

Earlier this week, Martin Smith stepped down from his ill-starred chairmanship of English National Opera - a decision greeted with widespread relief in the arts world. Now that he's gone, I can't help dreaming of a wholly new management and leadership for the company, spearheaded by a team of enlightened young musicians and theatre practitioners, supported by some wise old heads skilled in administration and fund-raising.