Opera
Les vêpres siciliennes, Welsh National Opera
11th February 2020The 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 […]
Read More
The Cunning Little Vixen , Welsh National Opera, WMC
27th October 2019This 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 […]
Read More
Rigoletto, Welsh National Opera, Wales Millennium Centre
1st October 2019This production of Verdi’s Rigoletto is a winning return to form for WNO. The story of the jester Rigoletto’s attempted revenge on his master the Duke for the seduction of his daughter Gilda, the action is transposed to Washington DC in the sixties, evoked by the costumes and design, such as Gilda’s hairband and bobby […]
Read More
Un ballo in maschera, Welsh National Opera, Venue Cymru
26th April 2019My 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 […]
Read More
The Magic Flute, Welsh National Opera, Venue Cymru
26th April 2019With 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 […]
Read More
Passion , Music Theatre Wales and NDCWales, Wales Millennium Centre
30th October 2018Passion was a very enigmatic production by NDC Wales in the way that the story was told to the audience. In this Michael McCarthy production, the stage was empty and dark, with the only design being a blue ladder leading up to the sky in the middle, and a long yellow curtain draped behind them, […]
Read More
La Traviata, Welsh National Opera, Venue Cymru
21st October 2018Many 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 […]
Read More
Rhondda Rips it Up!, Welsh National Opera, Pontio, Bangor
18th October 2018A 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 […]
Read More
La Cenerentola, Rossini, Welsh National Opera
6th October 2018My second visit to the opera and what a wonderful evening. From the moment the orchestra under WNO Music Director Tomas Hanus played thefirst note, the pace and light hearted atmosphere was established. As the delicate organza curtain lifted, the oversized set added to the childhood memories of ‘Cinderella’ as a magical fairy tale. The […]
Read More
La Traviata, Welsh National Opera, WMC
22nd September 2018Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata is possibly one of the most famous operas of all times, containing a number of equally famous arias that would be easily recognisable even to the ear of the layman. This poses an additional challenge to the cast, called to match a degree of expectation from the audience that is likely […]
Read More