It was mainly based at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London and later worked in co-ordination with English National Opera.
[2] The founders of the company were the conductor Leon Lovett, the administrator Peter Hemmings and musicologist Brian Trowell.
(Elisabeth Lutyens), Dawnpath (Nicola LeFanu), A Full Moon in March (John Harbison) and Inner Voices (Brian Howard).
[6] The withdrawal of Arts Council funding was announced as part of the report 'The Glory of the Garden' and the company ceased operation after 1984.
[6] Grove comments that its "service to London opera in introducing new works, mostly in highly effective performances, was unparalleled".