Britain's top diva is leading attacks on government plans to make the English National Opera close its home venue in London.

ENO's principal soprano, Lesley Garret, was commenting on suggestions by Culture Secretary Chris Smith that the ENO should leave the Coliseum in London's West End and stage productions at the nearby Royal Opera House.

The Royal Opera House is currently home to the Royal Opera and the Royal Ballet.

Mr Smith said the move would help to end the financial problems of the ENO and the Royal Opera House. He pledged that the ENO would not be forced to merge with the Royal Opera.

Lesley Garrett: not a fan of Mr Smith's proposals

However, Lesley Garret, who also performs with the Royal Opera and is one of Britains most famous opera stars, attacked the move.

She said the ENO had dedicated itself to improving public access to opera. "It's devoted to the most excellent standards of music and drama possible and most important of all its committed to the bringing on of young British singers such as myself. I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for that company They have taught me everything know about opera We can't let all that be lost," she said.

The ENO's music director, Paul Daniel, is also worried. "ENO is greatly concerned that the proposed review into the use of the Covent Garden site could threaten the company's unique work," he said.

"ENO has its own strong artistic vision and a special relationship with a large and loyal audience.

"All this could be jeopardised unless supported by a permanent ensemble, providing affordable and accessible opera of the highest quality all year round."

Chris Smith: will not force the two opera companies to merge

Despite this opposition to his plans Mr Smith said something had to be done: "The problem is that if we simply carry on as we are at the moment, I very genuinely fear that we'll find both companies, and perhaps the Royal Ballet too, simply running into the ground. "And that, to me, is not an acceptable outcome," he said.

The ENO, which receives £12m from the Arts Council each year, has debts of £5.1m.

ENO could leave its current London home, the Coliseum

The Royal Opera House, currently undergoing a £214m refurbishment, is heavily in debt, despite large subsidies. Even though it gets £15m annually from the Arts Council and was awarded £78m in National Lottery funds for refurbishment, managers have warned the venue is close to insolvency.

Under Mr Smith's plan, it would be renamed Covent Garden and taken over by new management.

He said: "This is a long term solution, not a solution to the immediate crisis.

"The key to this is to take money out of bricks and mortar and put it into artistic activities."

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The World Tonight reports
Culture Secretary Chris Smith talked about his plan on Radio 4's Today programme

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