The English National Opera's HQ has been closed since June 2003

The opera - due to open on February 21 - was scrapped because restoration of the stage area was not finished at the time when rehearsals were due to start.

Instead the venue will open with a rearranged programme of music.

ENO's production of Wagner's The Rhinegold - originally scheduled for February 23 - may also be put back.

The cancellation of Nixon in China marks a further hitch in the ENO's reopening plans - after the original opening date was put back two weeks from February 7.

The cancellation has cost �282,000 in lost ticket sales - but ENO chief executive Sean Doran said he hoped to re-schedule the production for a later date.

The company "shares a feeling of frustration and upset at being thwarted so very near to completion of the restoration", he said.

The announcement of an opening date for The Rhinegold is expected to be made on Wednesday, when ENO staff are scheduled to regain access to the building's stage systems.