Savoy Opera opened with a production of The Barber of Seville

The Savoy Opera became the capital's first new full scale opera company for 75 years when it was launched at the Savoy Theatre in April.

The aim was to offer a cheaper alternative to the capital's two big opera companies.

The Savoy Opera's top ticket price was only �50.

Top price seats at the Royal Opera House can cost as much as �170, while the English National Opera charges �70.

'Young unknowns'

A spokeswoman confirmed that future Savoy Opera productions are indefinitely on hold.

She said: "It has been decided to suspend the next season of productions, though we will continue with the current runs until June.

"Things will be reviewed at the end of the current season, but the problem has been that we have not had the level of advance bookings that are needed."

Following the launch of the new company in April, impresario Raymond Gubbay had hoped to attract a new, younger audience and help opera to cast off its elitist image.

The eight weekly performances are sung in English to make the shows more accessible.

Savoy Opera launched its opening season with a pair of classic operas: The Barber of Seville and The Marriage of Figaro.

A policy of snubbing big name performers in favour of young unknowns helped keep ticket prices down, but critics have lambasted the company's artistic standards.

One reviewer said a performance of The Barber of Seville was the worst he had seen in 30 years of opera-going.

An earlier statement from producer, Stephen Waley-Cohen and Mr Gubbay, said: "The opening season of The Barber of Seville and The Marriage of Figaro has been very well received and will continue to run as planned until June 19.

"However, ticket sales are not sufficient to enable us to continue on the current timetable beyond then.