He is to leave the English National Opera in September 2015. Gardner will be succeeded by conductor Mark Wigglesworth, who will take up the ENO baton in September 2015. “Ed Gardner has been a phenomenal Music Director, rightly winning plaudits across the board for the outstanding performances of our orchestra and chorus under his leadership,” said ENO’s Artistic Director, John Berry. “I’d like to thank him for his huge musical contribution to ENO and I look forward to working with him on a number of exciting company projects during 2014 and 2015.” Announcing Wigglesworth’s appointment, Berry also commented, “Mark is one of the most outstanding conductors of his generation and I’m thrilled to be working with him. His appointment highlights ENO’s current standing in the international opera world and our ability to attract the very best talent from across the arts and the wider creative industries.”