Welsh National Opera - Cardiff | 28 March 2024 |
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Performance reviews
Key | Photo gallery | Production details | Video link |
Death in VeniceWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 7 |
Britten’s yearning swansong blazes and beguiles in Welsh National Opera’s new production |
17 Mar 24 / The Observer |
‘Death in Venice’ comes alive in Cardiff |
13 Mar 24 / The Article |
WNO’s bold and innovative Death in Venice explores its ambiguous depths (and heights) |
11 Mar 24 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
Welsh National Opera stages Death in Venice for the first time... and it's a triumph |
10 Mar 24 / Bachtrack |
Britten’s final opera soars in WNO’s captivating staging |
9 Mar 24 / The Guardian |
Mark Le Brocq was vocally splendid and sympathetic to the role Gustav von Aschenbach |
9 Mar 24 / South Wales Argus |
Ideal melding of different art forms |
9 Mar 24 / The Stage |
associated articles [+]
Behind the scenes at Welsh National Opera’s Death in Venice
Britten’s atmospheric, strange and beautiful opera, the last he wrote, comes to life in this new production from Welsh National Opera in a collaboration with No Fit State Circus.
Britten’s atmospheric, strange and beautiful opera, the last he wrote, comes to life in this new production from Welsh National Opera in a collaboration with No Fit State Circus.
Così fan tutteWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 5 |
Musical performances keep Welsh National Opera's new Così fan tutte afloat |
12 Mar 24 / Bachtrack |
Operatic misfire |
28 Feb 24 / The Star |
WNO’s staging left lots to be desired, though in musical terms Così fan tutte was largely pleasurable |
27 Feb 24 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
Relevance reduced to irrelevance |
27 Feb 24 / The Arts Desk |
Beautifully sung hard lessons in the cash-strapped school of love |
26 Feb 24 / The Guardian |
La TraviataWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 6 |
Stacey Alleaume leads Welsh National Opera's emotionally-charged Traviata |
29 Nov 23 / Bachtrack |
Welsh National Opera’s La Traviata is a triumph at Milton Keynes Theatre |
21 Nov 23 / Milton Keynes Citizen |
Along with her vocals being technically brilliant, Alleaume gives Violetta an intelligent and relatable quality |
5 Nov 23 / The Reviews Hub |
more reviews [+]
Passions fail to ignite |
27 Sep 23 / Morning Star |
Stacey Alleaume brings an expertise to the central and demanding role of Violetta |
24 Sep 23 / The Reviews Hub |
Memorable revival, unforgettable lead |
23 Sep 23 / The Arts Desk |
AinadamarWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 5 |
Overall, a visually and musically arresting evening if dramatically uneven |
26 Nov 23 / Opera Today |
A stunning, captivating and unique spectacle |
22 Nov 23 / Milton Keynes Citizen |
Ainadamar is a tour de force by director Deborah Colker |
15 Sep 23 / Morning Star |
more reviews [+]
Osvaldo Golijov's Ainadamar revived by Welsh National Opera for its 2023 tour |
12 Sep 23 / Bachtrack |
A defiant and impassioned defence of freedom |
11 Sep 23 / The Guardian |
CandideWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 3 |
Visually arresting Candide from Welsh National Opera |
29 Jun 23 / Opera Today |
Candide camera |
29 Jun 23 / Morning Star |
WNO go for broke with picaresque, Pythonesque craziness |
25 Jun 23 / The Guardian |
Die ZauberflöteWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 9 |
WNO sinks an unsinkable opera |
11 May 23 / The Spectator |
Confused and plodding adaptation of classic opera |
5 May 23 / I am Birmingham |
WNO’s abstract Magic Flute proves more contemporary than cohesive |
5 May 23 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
The new translation, direction and overall artistic vision fall short of what WNO can and should be delivering |
23 Apr 23 / The Reviews Hub |
Go to WNO’s ‘Magic Flute', but only for the music |
22 Mar 23 / The Article |
WNO’s radical Magic Flute misfires |
12 Mar 23 / Opera Today |
Rewrite of Mozart’s philosophical comedy achieves greater musical than dramatic success |
8 Mar 23 / The Stage |
WNO’s hectic new version is a lightsaber too far |
7 Mar 23 / The Guardian |
Mozart remodelled and remuddled |
7 Mar 23 / The Arts Desk |
Blaze of Glory!Welsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 4 |
Sparkling entertainment up the valleys |
13 Mar 23 / The Arts Desk |
‘Emphatically Welsh’ opera is perfectly pitched |
3 Mar 23 / The Week |
Utterly thrilling |
27 Feb 23 / The Stage |
more reviews [+]
WNO’s warm-hearted community opera hits all the right notes |
25 Feb 23 / The Guardian |
La bohèmeWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 4 |
Elin Pritchard sings Mimì with admirably crisp clarity |
7 Dec 22 / Classical Source |
Elin Pritchard was a lovely Mimì |
12 Nov 22 / Opera Today |
A beautiful presentation of an iconic piece |
11 Nov 22 / West End Best Friend |
more reviews [+]
Anush Hovhannisyan is a beautifully sung Mimi |
2 Oct 22 / South Wales Argus |
Vec MakropulosWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 10 |
Tomáš Hanus’s conducting of the WNO Orchestra keeps up the urgent, dramatic pace of the production |
7 Dec 22 / Classical Source |
Angeles Blancas Gulin is mesmerising as Emilia Marty |
28 Nov 22 / Planet Hugill |
Mortality and meaning |
11 Nov 22 / Opera Today |
more reviews [+]
Welsh National Opera kicked off its autumn season with a distinctly underwhelming production of Leos Janacek’s The Makropulos Affair |
27 Sep 22 / The Star |
Janáček’s knotty study of immortality soars at Welsh National Opera |
25 Sep 22 / The Observer |
A refreshingly ungimmicky telling of the strange tale |
22 Sep 22 / South Wales Argus |
A magnificent achievement |
21 Sep 22 / Opera Today |
Janáček’s operatic elixir of life |
21 Sep 22 / The Article |
Fast-flowing and flamboyant |
19 Sep 22 / The Guardian |
Beware of what you wish for |
18 Sep 22 / Bachtrack |
Moskva, CheremushkiWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 3 |
Shostakovich didn’t think much of his only operetta Cherry Town, Moscow |
15 Oct 22 / Classical Source |
Bravo, WNO Youth Opera |
13 Oct 22 / The Star |
Shostakovich’s operetta becomes a zany romp but outstays its welcome |
11 Oct 22 / The Guardian |
MigrationsWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 5 |
A modern Gesamtkunstwerk |
13 Jul 22 / OperaWire |
One step forward two steps back |
7 Jul 22 / The Star |
WNO’s multi-stranded new opera exploring human migration is a joy |
3 Jul 22 / The Observer |
more reviews [+]
Ambitious and timely new opera examines freedom |
1 Jul 22 / The Guardian |
Shows WNO at its best |
1 Jul 22 / The Stage |
Madama ButterflyWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 7 |
WNO's first Madame Butterfly in over 40 years is a masterclass in how to make classical opera relevant to a 21st Century audience |
10 Apr 22 / The Reviews Hub |
A musically powerful Madama Butterfly |
30 Oct 21 / Bachtrack |
Madam Butterfly’s overall production was thoroughly enjoyable to watch |
22 Oct 21 / Redbrick |
more reviews [+]
Hits you where it hurts |
7 Oct 21 / The Spectator |
Everything is as squeaky clean as a too-bright washing-powder advertisement, and a long way from Titipu |
5 Oct 21 / The Critics' Circle |
Musical beauty from Joyce El-Khoury, Carlo Rizzi and WNO orchestra in an interesting, though not fully satisfying, Madam Butterfly |
1 Oct 21 / Seen and Heard |
Brutal realities edge out the romance in stark new WNO staging |
28 Sep 21 / The Guardian |
associated articles [+]
Small in Japan
Die Welsh National Opera bietet eine neue Inszenierung von Giacomo Puccinis “Madama Butterfly“. Dazu gehört eine Vortragsreihe im Zuge der aktuell herrschenden “Wokeness“. Doch wie passend ist das Thema wirklich?
Die Welsh National Opera bietet eine neue Inszenierung von Giacomo Puccinis “Madama Butterfly“. Dazu gehört eine Vortragsreihe im Zuge der aktuell herrschenden “Wokeness“. Doch wie passend ist das Thema wirklich?
JenufaWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 3 |
A Czech conductor in Cardiff |
23 Mar 22 / The Article |
An excellent revival |
8 Mar 22 / The Critics' Circle |
An achingly sad and powerful tale of infanticide |
7 Mar 22 / The Guardian |
Don GiovanniWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 2 |
A perfect revival of a perfect opera |
9 Mar 22 / The Article |
Strong cast ensure WNO’s revival stands the test of time |
22 Feb 22 / The Guardian |
Il barbiere di SivigliaWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 6 |
Nico Darmanian and Heather Lowe shine in riotous meta-narrative production |
18 Nov 21 / OperaWire |
The Barber of Seville was full of fun and light-heartedness |
23 Oct 21 / Redbrick |
Vintage WNO production of The Barber of Seville stills works well, a timely affirmation of the comic vision |
3 Oct 21 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
Rossini gets Welsh National Opera’s belated 75th birthday party off to a triumphant start |
14 Sep 21 / Bachtrack |
Creaky WNO production heralds welcome return |
11 Sep 21 / The Guardian |
Some excellent singing struggling with a weary production and an unhelpful translation |
11 Sep 21 / The Arts Desk |
Alice's Adventures in WonderlandWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 1 |
Welsh National Opera return with slick and zany family show |
30 Jun 21 / The Guardian |
Les vêpres siciliennesWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 14 |
Carlo Rizzi’s conducting and WNO’s chorus make Les vêpres siciliennes a worthwhile experience |
13 Mar 20 / Seen and Heard |
A passion for patriarchy |
16 Feb 20 / The Observer |
Director David Poultney, never afraid to take risks, pulls out all the stops this time |
16 Feb 20 / The Reviews Hub |
more reviews [+]
An uneven production that ranges from dreary to inspired |
14 Feb 20 / South Wales Argus |
Episode II des Vêpres siciliennes de Verdi (en français) : Cardiff! |
14 Feb 20 / Opera Online (French) |
Valiant attempt but WNO’s new Les vȇpres siciliennes can’t quite persuade one of its merits |
13 Feb 20 / Seen and Heard |
David Pountney offers adventurous staging of laborious Verdi grand opera |
12 Feb 20 / OperaWire |
Verdi takes on the French at Cardiff |
11 Feb 20 / The Article |
Theatricality and spectacle in Verdi's grand opera |
11 Feb 20 / The Guardian |
Disappointing final instalment of David Pountney’s Verdi trilogy |
11 Feb 20 / The Stage |
Welsh National Opera tackles Les Vêpres siciliennes but the vocal fireworks fail to ignite |
11 Feb 20 / Bachtrack |
A visual triumph |
11 Feb 20 / The Critics' Circle |
Spectacle and a lusty chorus fail to salvage this Verdi dud |
10 Feb 20 / Telegraph |
Welsh National Opera tackles Les Vêpres siciliennes but the vocal fireworks fail to ignite |
10 Feb 20 / Bachtrack |
associated articles [+]
Verdi opera: Conductor stops performance over 'phone miscreants'
A conductor has twice stopped an opera in Cardiff after mobile phones rang in the audience.
A conductor has twice stopped an opera in Cardiff after mobile phones rang in the audience.
CarmenWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 11 |
WNO revival of Carmen in Cardiff |
4 Mar 20 / Opera Today |
Audiences will be divided on this modern day treatment |
27 Nov 19 / Southern Daily Echo |
Carmen is a thrilling watch for an opera first-timer as much as it is for a connoisseur |
24 Nov 19 / Oxford Mail |
more reviews [+]
Virginie Verrez captivates in WNO's Carmen at the Birmingham Hippodrome |
9 Nov 19 / Opera Today |
Tomáš Hanus’s conducting is a highlight of WNO’s new Carmen in Llandudno |
5 Nov 19 / Seen and Heard |
A new production of Bizet’s iconic operatic sizzler Carmen rightly arouses much interest |
13 Oct 19 / The Reviews Hub |
Welsh National Opera's powerful new production is a triumph |
1 Oct 19 / Bachtrack |
Carmen becomes a gun-toting revolutionary gun runner |
30 Sep 19 / South Wales Argus |
Welsh National Opera delivers a Carmen for our times — riveting and emotional |
25 Sep 19 / The Article |
Can't tie me down |
24 Sep 19 / The Critics' Circle |
WNO unleashes free spirit on Brazil's favelas |
23 Sep 19 / The Guardian |
Le nozze di FigaroWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 1 |
WNO’s Figaro revival crackles with humour and exudes joie de vivre |
20 Feb 20 / Bachtrack |
The Cunning Little VixenWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 5 |
David Pountney's nearly 40-year=old production polishes up magnificently |
3 Dec 19 / Oxford Mail |
In the pit, Tomas Hanus shows flair and mastery in Janáček’s distinctive idiom |
10 Nov 19 / The Reviews Hub |
Sizeable Llandudno audience rewarded with memorable performance of WNO’s Cunning Little Vixen |
6 Nov 19 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
Welsh National Opera revive glorious Cunning Little Vixen |
11 Oct 19 / Opera Today |
Everything falls into place in WNO’s superb revival of The Cunning Little Vixen |
9 Oct 19 / Seen and Heard |
RigolettoWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 7 |
Welsh National Opera's stunning modern take on Rigoletto |
29 Nov 19 / Oxford Mail |
Predatory power and privilege in WNO's Rigoletto |
11 Nov 19 / Opera Today |
A White House Rigoletto with some impressive voices at Welsh National Opera |
9 Nov 19 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
Verdi meets #MeToo in steamy story of sex, love and revenge |
7 Nov 19 / The Star |
Fine singing but Verdi’s seminal musical masterpiece deserves better than this WNO Rigoletto |
5 Nov 19 / Seen and Heard |
Wonderfully sung and politically astute |
10 Oct 19 / The Stage |
WNO’s Rigoletto production now feels pointless and distracting, but is saved by its musical virtues |
2 Oct 19 / Seen and Heard |
War and PeaceWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 23 |
A work ranging from the intensity of personal emotion to the grit of national determination |
5 Aug 19 / Planet Hugill |
The cast are in beautiful sound and the set is dynamic enough to hold attention |
2 Aug 19 / A Younger Theatre |
David Pountney’s farewell flourish, War and Peace, held up well in its transfer to Covent Garden |
1 Aug 19 / The Spectator |
more reviews [+]
For all the faults of Prokofiev's huge opera, this performance was a superb company achievement |
29 Jul 19 / Planet Hugill |
Pountney feeds musical and visual values into the staging very successfully |
25 Jul 19 / Classical Source |
Welsh National Opera’s spectacularly successful War and Peace comes to Covent Garden |
25 Jul 19 / Seen and Heard |
A stirring War and Peace by WNO at Covent Garden |
25 Jul 19 / Opera Today |
Reviews search
Performance schedule
Mozart
24 Feb to 4 May 2024
Britten
7 Mar to 1 May 2024
Puccini
15 to 22 Jun 2024
Verdi
21 Sep 2024 to 22 Feb 2025
Puccini
25 Oct 2024
Mozart
6 Feb to 6 Jun 2025
Various
1 Mar to 8 Jun 2025
Britten
5 Apr to 7 Jun 2025
News & Articles
Behind the scenes at Welsh National Opera’s Death in Venice |
Britten’s atmospheric, strange and beautiful opera, the last he wrote, comes to life in this new production from Welsh National Opera in a collaboration with No Fit State Circus. |
8 Mar 2024 / The Guardian |
Welsh National Opera announces 2024-25 season |
The details announced include revival of Puccini’s Il trittico, Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, two new productions, Verdi’s Rigoletto and Britten’s Peter Grimes and a new bilingual production to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of WNO Youth Opera. |
7 Feb 2024 / OperaWire |
Donald Maxwell joins board of 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. |
19 Jan 2024 / OperaWire |
Welsh National Opera announces Interim General Director |
The Welsh National Opera has announced the appointment of Christopher Barron as Interim General Director. Barron will take over the role in January 2024. |
6 Dec 2023 / OperaWire |
Welsh National Opera’s General Director to step down |
The Welsh National Opera (WNO) has announced that General Director Aidan Lang is set to step down at the end of the year. |
27 Sep 2023 / OperaWire |