Welsh National Opera
A new Butterfly, a delayed migration-themed opera and three revivals for Welsh National Opera’s 21-22 season
Welsh National Opera brings back the 1980s Giles Havergal production of Rossini’s Barber of Seville to Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff in September, marking the company’s return to the stage. The company had performed a slapstick new co-production with Grand Théâtre de Genève in 2016 but has reverted to the near-40 year old show to…
WNO General Director Aidan Lang talks about the company’s 75th anniversary
As one might imagine, our plans for major productions to mark the 75 years have been shelved. We have, however, created two short films to mark the occasion. We commissioned a poem by Ifor ap Glyn, the National Poet of Wales, called Intermezzo, and this is performed by a distinguished cast of Welsh luminaries in…
Les vêpres siciliennes, Welsh National Opera
The prospect of WNO staging Verdi’s Les vêpres siciliennes is an exciting one. The last time it was performed by WNO was in 1954. Further, this staging (a joint production with Theater Bonn) is of the French grand opéra version, the full five acts sung in French with the ballet section included, not the revised…
The Cunning Little Vixen , Welsh National Opera, WMC
This revived production of Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen is another triumph for WNO. Born in Moravia in 1854 it was only in 1924 that Janáček first staged his opera. Inspired by the illustrated tales of ‘Vixen Sharp-Ears’ the opera tells the story of the life and death of the Vixen, captured by the Forester…
Un ballo in maschera, Welsh National Opera, Venue Cymru
My opera education continues in the capable hands of Welsh National Opera with Guiseppe Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera, only my third WNO production. Riccardo (Gwyn Hughes Jones) is a leader who has stepped on too many toes, collecting a few enemies hell bent on revenge for the wrongs they feel he has done…
The Magic Flute, Welsh National Opera, Venue Cymru
With an opening scene of a lobster-like creature bursting through the set’s doors, I knew from the start of Welsh National Opera’s rendition of Mozart’s The Magic Flute that I was in for a very different experience of opera. As quite the novice to opera, I went into this performance blind, so was intrigued to…
The Magic Flute , WNO, Wales Millennium Centre
Mozart’s most famous opera was once again brought on stage, but this time WNO managed to add in some delightful new ideas. Under the baton of Damian Iorio, the music was of extremely high quality. The loving couple of Tamino and Pamina were sung by Ben Johnson and Anita Watson. They both rendered their…
La Traviata, Welsh National Opera, Venue Cymru
Many regard Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviatato be one of the most famous and adored operas of all time, though with myself a true novice to opera it was interesting to attend this production by the Welsh National Opera with no prior knowledge or expectations of this opera. The first act had a clever opening which drew…
La Cenerentola, Welsh National Opera, Venue Cymru
I’ve been writing reviews on and off for 15 years – encompassing restaurant, theatre, cinema and music reviews – but I’ve never reviewed opera or ballet. La Cenerentola, Rossini’s take on the tale of Cinderella, was a perfect opera for me to start with. Angelina lives with her step father Don Magnfico and step sisters…
Rhondda Rips it Up!, Welsh National Opera, Pontio, Bangor
A riotous romp through the life of pivotal Suffragette Lady Rhondda Margaret Haig Thomas (played by Madeleine Shaw) is what was promised by Welsh National Opera, and indeed it was what was delivered too in their latest musical-opera Rhondda Rips it Up. The buzz in Pontio’s packed Theatr Bryn Terfel was enchanting as the all-female…