The Welsh National Opera has named Professor Medwin Hughes CBE DL to the position of Chair of the Board of Directors. Hughes takes over for Yvette Vaughan Jones, whose term ends in Autumn 2025. Hughes is a former Vice Chancellor of University of Wales Trinity St David and Vice Chancellor of the University of Wales who has served as Deputy {…}
The Welsh National Opera (WNO) and the Musician’s Union, representing the WNO Orchestra, seemed headed toward a new agreement. Per a post on its official social media accounts, WNO’s Co-General Directors and CEOS, Adele Thomas and Sarah Crabtree, noted that “following open and constructive negotiations with the Musicians’ Union we welcome the decision by WNO’s Orchestra to accept a new {…}
Equity members of the Welsh National Opera chorus have voted for industrial action and will continue to take action short of a strike from April 9, 2025, and thereafter. Per the vote, 95 percent of members voted for action short of a strike,e and 91 percent voted in favor of strike action on a 100 percent turnout. The vote is {…}
Welsh National Opera has released details of an evaluation report for its pilot “Wellness with WNO: Managing Persistent Pain Program.” The six-week, one hour-long online singing and breathing pilot program, running from March 2024 to March 2025, is designed to support people living with persistent pain. The initiative was built off of “WNO’s Long COVID Program” which launched in 2021. {…}
Conductor James Lockhart passed away on Feb. 26, 2025 at the age of 94. Lockhart was born on Oct. 16, 1930, in Edinburgh. He studied at the Royal College of Music and gave his UK premiere at All Souls Church, Langham Place. He took the position of Music Director at Welsh National Opera in 1968, where he stayed until 1972. {…}
The winners of the 2025 Royal Philharmonic Society Awards were announced on March 6, at Royal Birmingham Conservatory. For this article only winners in vocal categories are included. Conductor Kazuki Yamada Impact Streetwise Opera’s Re:Discover Festival Inspiration Open Arts Community Choir Opera and Music Theatre “Death in Venice” – Welsh National Opera Series and Events The Cumnock Tryst Singer Claire Booth {…}
The chorus of the Welsh National Opera (WNO) have voted unanimously to take further action short of strike on Feb. 27 and March 1. Action short of strike has previously been taken by the WNO chorus across several dates and consisted of chorus members wearing #SaveOurWNO t-shirts during performances, as well as leafletting and talking to audience members about why {…}
On Feb. 22, musicians from across the country, including past and current staff and students from Cardiff University’s School of Music, will gather in a musical protest against proposed course closures, job losses, and cuts. In late Jan. Cardiff University confirmed plans to close Cardiff University School of Music, a facility that has produced outstanding musicians such as Karl Jenkins, {…}
The Welsh National Opera announced its 2025-26 season. The season opens with “Tosca,” directed by Edward Dick and conducted by Gergely Madaras. Natalya Romaniw and Andrés Presno star. Performance Dates: Sept. 14 – Oct. 18, 2025 Ed Lyon, Aled Hall, and Soraya Mafi star in a revival of “Candide” with Ryan McAdams conducting the Bernstein work. Performance Dates: Sept. 17 – Oct. {…}
The Royal Philharmonic Society Awards have announced its 2025 shortlist nominees. This article only features those nominated for vocal works. The Awards will feature performances from a range of nominees and is hosted by BBC Radio 3 presenters Jess Gillam and Tom McKinney, with trophies presented by RPS Chair Angela Dixon. The Awards ceremony will be held for the first {…}
Adele Thomas and Sarah Crabtree will start the new year with a new tenure at the Welsh National Opera, as they jointly take on the role of co-CEOs/General Directors. Thomas is an internationally acclaimed theatre and opera director who recently directed WNO’s new production of Verdi’s “Rigoletto,” while visionary producer Sarah Crabtree joins the Company from The Royal Ballet and {…}