On August 20, 2024, The Welsh National Opera’s choristers began balloting for strike action over proposals to cut jobs and pay by 15 percent. According to Equity Union, the company’s plans to reduce the chorus will bring the “real threat of compulsory redundancies.” The union said, “We will not accept compulsory redundancies or the desire of WNO management to make contracts {…}
The orchestra members of the Welsh National Opera voted in favor of a potential strike. Per The Strad, 81.25 percent of members voted for full strike action and 96.87 voted for action short of a strike. The vote was made following “threats” that full-time jobs at the company would be reduced to 85 percent contracts. Moreover, the company had revealed {…}
The Welsh National Opera has announced that Adele Thomas and Sarah Crabtree will be jointly taking on the role of General Director and CEO starting this coming January. Thomas has established herself as a major opera director who has led productions at Glyndebourne, Opernhaus Zürich, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the London Handel Festival, and Northern Ireland Opera. Her {…}
The Welsh National Opera has announced a new community project “Ely Bridge,” presented in collaboration with BAFTA award-winning actress Rakie Ayola. The work is presented in commemoration of the anniversary of the unrest that occured in Ely and Caerau when riots broke out following the bike crash and death of two boys who had been pursued by a police car. {…}
Welsh National Opera has announced it will showcase the Company’s award-winning Youth Opera in “The Very Last Green Thing,” an eco-friendly musical performance. The production’s props and costumes will consist of various recycled materials with many items being previously owned or repurposed from older productions. The production will be directed by Rhian Hutchings and designed by Designer Greta Baxter, and {…}
The Welsh National Opera has announced that it will be reducing its 2024-25 season due to financial challenges. The company noted that it will no longer be touring the Bristol Hippodrome in February 2025, and will not be touring Venue Cymru, Llandudno in May 2025. The WNO said that it will still be visiting Venue Cymru in the Autumn as {…}
Musicians’ Union members in the orchestra of the Welsh National Opera have responded to plans in which orchestra members will get a reduction in working weeks, equating to a 15 percent pay cut as a result of a funding shortfall for the company. In a statement, Jo Laverty, MU National Organiser for Orchestras said, “It will be unsustainable for our {…}
The Welsh National Opera Music Director Tomáš Hanus has released an open letter to the Arts Council of England. In a letter via the WNO, the conductor said ” I am Music Director of Welsh National Opera, a role that I feel privileged to be in and I feel obliged, together with my distinguished colleagues Sir Bryn Terfel, Carlo Rizzi, Sir David {…}
The Welsh National Opera has announced its 2024-25 season. Verdi’s “Rigoletto” is set to be conducted by Pietro Rizzo and directed by Adele Thomas. Leonardo Capalbo, Daniel Luis de Vicente, Soraya Mafi, and Natalia Kutateladze star. Performance Dates: Sept. 21, 2024-Feb. 22, 2025 Puccini’s “Il Trittico“ returns to the stage. “Il Tabarro” will star Aluda Todua, Natalya Romaniw, and Andrés {…}
Opera Singer Donald Maxwell has joined the Board of the Welsh National Opera. Maxwell has been a professional opera singer for more than 45 years. He made his debut with WNO in 1982, and over the next 35 years, he has given over 500 performances with the Company in 30 different roles. He is well-known for the title role of {…}
The Welsh National Opera has announced the appointment of Christopher Barron as Interim General Director. Barron will take over the role in January 2024. He has worked in arts management and leadership and has served as General Manager of the Edinburgh International Festival as well as Chief Executive of Birmingham Royal Ballet, Chief Executive of Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet, {…}
