The Welsh National Opera (WNO) has announced that General Director Aidan Lang is set to step down at the end of the year.

He joined the company as staff director in the 1980s and 1990s before eventually ending up the General Director of the Seattle Opera for five seasons between 2014-2019 where he was renowned for his championing of new works while splitting audiences and critics with the staging of beloved classics. He also heralded the opening of a $60 million opera center in Seattle.

Prior to his post in Seattle, he had stints at Opera Zuid, Buxton Festival, New Zealand Opera (where he was also the General Director), and Glyndebourne.

From there he headed back to WNO in 2019 to take over its top position where he headed a digital program during the COVID-19 lockdown and continued his interest in bringing new opera to the stage.

“For me, like so many others, WNO is where my opera career truly began, and it has been an enormous privilege to head up this wonderful Company,” Lang said in an official press statement issued by the company. “Having worked in opera in different roles continuously for over 40 years, I feel the time is now right for me to enjoy more time with my family and for someone else to take WNO to its next chapter.  My love for opera was ignited as a student in Birmingham watching WNO productions, and I am thoroughly looking forward to returning as an audience member.”