| Welsh National Opera - Cardiff | 17 October 2021 |
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Les vêpres siciliennes
The Cunning Little Vixen
Rigoletto
Carmen
Roberto Devereux
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Performance reviews
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Madama ButterflyWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
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 |
more reviews [+]
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?
Il barbiere di SivigliaWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Vintage WNO production of The Barber of Seville stills works well, a timely affirmation of the comic vision |
| 3 Oct 21 / Seen and Heard |
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 |
more reviews [+]
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 / Morning Star Online |
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 |
Welsh National Opera comes to London to parade its wares |
| 25 Jul 19 / Bachtrack |
Fundamentally, though all was not perfect and one or two choices were puzzling, the WNO showed it can be done |
| 23 Nov 18 / We left at the interval... |
A masterpiece gets a rare and vibrant showcase in the West |
| 26 Oct 18 / OperaWire |
A bold season opener |
| 12 Oct 18 / ConcertoNet (English) |
The orchestra under Tomáš Hanus is a wonder |
| 2 Oct 18 / The Critics' Circle |
A glorious vehicle for the Welsh National Opera Chorus |
| 26 Sep 18 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
WNO’s stirring production of Prokofiev’s unwieldy theatrical epic rewards ambition |
| 20 Sep 18 / Seen and Heard |
Ferocious intensity: David Pountney's new War and Peace at Welsh National Opera |
| 18 Sep 18 / Bachtrack |
Rendered with timely brilliance |
| 18 Sep 18 / The Stage |
Not quite a masterpiece but a great aural and visual spectacle |
| 18 Sep 18 / The Arts Desk |
An epic evening of music theatre |
| 18 Sep 18 / South Wales Argus |
A rare glimpse of Prokofiev's epic opera in a mammoth new production by WNO |
| 18 Sep 18 / What's on Stage |
This faithful staging of Prokofiev’s propaganda epic is as awe-inspiring as the spire of Salisbury Cathedral |
| 17 Sep 18 / The Times |
Whatever the constraints, Pountney and his team give us a grand four-hour show sung in English |
| 17 Sep 18 / Classical Source |
A magnificent production of Prokofiev's flawed opera |
| 17 Sep 18 / Telegraph |
Ferocity and passion in Prokofiev's rare opera |
| 17 Sep 18 / The Guardian |
Roberto DevereuxWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 9 | |
Roberto Devereux en tournée au Royaume |
| 17 May 19 / Olyrix |
Some outstanding singing gives pleasure in WNO’s spidery Roberto Devereux |
| 1 May 19 / Seen and Heard |
Steam-punk & virtuosity |
| 1 Apr 19 / Planet Hugill |
more reviews [+]
A powerful and emotion-filled show |
| 31 Mar 19 / About Milton Keynes |
Killer queen |
| 10 Mar 19 / The Critics' Circle |
Joyce El-Khoury shines as Donizetti's Tudor queen in Welsh National Opera's Roberto Devereux |
| 5 Mar 19 / Bachtrack |
Though not for arachnophobes, WNO’s Roberto Devereux is graced by some top-class singing |
| 5 Mar 19 / Seen and Heard |
A stunning revival for Welsh National Opera’s take on Donizetti’s Roberto Devereux |
| 3 Mar 19 / The Reviews Hub |
A hideous staging, but my, what singing |
| 2 Mar 19 / Telegraph |
Die ZauberflöteWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 8 | |
Une Magic Flute très britannique |
| 15 May 19 / Olyrix |
A refreshing and fun presentation for the whole family |
| 8 May 19 / OperaWire |
WNO’s scintillatingly sung and played The Magic Flute deserved a new staging |
| 29 Apr 19 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
The cast really do it justice |
| 30 Mar 19 / Citiblog |
It’s hard to imagine a more ideal Pamina than Anita Watson |
| 9 Mar 19 / Opera Today |
A most enjoyable performance of this well-known and popular opera |
| 3 Mar 19 / The Reviews Hub |
WNO’s limited The Magic Flute production gets redeemed by some excellent singing |
| 21 Feb 19 / Seen and Heard |
Bowler hats and lobsters: WNO's surreal Magic Flute returns |
| 20 Feb 19 / Bachtrack |
Un Ballo in MascheraWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 14 | |
WNO’s very well sung Un ballo in maschera in Llandudno |
| 29 Apr 19 / Seen and Heard |
This production was full of energy and originality |
| 12 Apr 19 / Chew Valley Gazette |
In essence, lots of lovely music to enjoy, but rather too much in the way of distracting detail on stage |
| 8 Mar 19 / Express & Star |
more reviews [+]
Clever stuff, and often intriguing, but occasionally baffling |
| 8 Mar 19 / Opera Today |
Spectacular, ghoulish flair |
| 19 Feb 19 / The Stage |
Dancing with Mr D |
| 19 Feb 19 / The Critics' Circle |
Make no bones about it: WNO’s forces are the best Verdians this side of the Alps |
| 17 Feb 19 / The Sunday Times |
Much to admire, musically and visually, in David Pountney’s WNO Un ballo in maschera premiere |
| 14 Feb 19 / Seen and Heard |
A tongue-in-cheek staging to be sure, but none the worse for that |
| 13 Feb 19 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
Ballo II, the American cut: an indigestible staging by David Pountney for WNO |
| 12 Feb 19 / Bachtrack |
Mary Elizabeth Williams, as Amelia, gives a finely nuanced and musically exquisite performance |
| 11 Feb 19 / The Reviews Hub |
Terrific gory fun with pirates, witchcraft and murder |
| 11 Feb 19 / The Guardian |
A lively spectacle filled with punch and energy |
| 11 Feb 19 / Telegraph |
A jolly good show |
| 11 Feb 19 / Planet Hugill |
La CenerentolaWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 7 | |
Cinderella goes to the panto |
| 26 Nov 18 / Opera Today |
WNO’s enjoyable Cenerentola has a rare operatic happy ending |
| 24 Oct 18 / Seen and Heard |
WNO’s La Cenerentola is frothy and delightful, with some superb singing |
| 14 Oct 18 / The Reviews Hub |
more reviews [+]
WNO’s La Cenerentola makes us laugh, think and feel |
| 12 Oct 18 / Seen and Heard |
Wit, warmth and vocal agility |
| 10 Oct 18 / The Stage |
“Once upon a time” |
| 9 Oct 18 / Bachtrack |
Welsh National Opera’s Rossini staging needs help but fine singing saves the day |
| 8 Oct 18 / The Times |
La TraviataWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 6 | |
McVicar's Traviata is still darkly impressive |
| 26 Nov 18 / Bachtrack |
In her beginning is her end: Welsh National Opera's La traviata in Southampton |
| 23 Nov 18 / Opera Today |
No gimmicks just sheer professionalism from McVicar’s Traviata |
| 25 Oct 18 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
A fine return of a favourite work |
| 16 Oct 18 / ConcertoNet (English) |
This production from the WNO was incredibly well done |
| 2 Oct 18 / South Wales Argus |
McVicar’s Traviata for WNO tells the story well and moves an audience as it should |
| 26 Sep 18 / Seen and Heard |
Don GiovanniWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 9 | |
A fast-moving WNO Don Giovanni keep singers and audience on their toes |
| 25 Apr 18 / Seen and Heard |
An intelligently directed production |
| 15 Apr 18 / The Reviews Hub |
This is a Don Giovanni as Mozart and Da Ponte intended, and would recognise and enjoy |
| 11 Mar 18 / Classical Source |
more reviews [+]
A memorable production |
| 9 Mar 18 / Redbrick |
WNO’s urgent and thought-provoking Don Giovanni |
| 28 Feb 18 / Seen and Heard |
The singers live and breathe the melodramatic spirit of John Caird’s very dark production |
| 27 Feb 18 / The Times |
Gavan Ring's Don Giovanni shows much promise |
| 26 Feb 18 / Classical Source |
A thrilling Don Giovanni at Welsh National Opera |
| 24 Feb 18 / Bachtrack |
Has John Caird’s 2011 production improved with this revival? |
| 24 Feb 18 / The Reviews Hub |
La Forza del DestinoWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 16 | |
Despite the production’s limitations and gimmicks, musically La forza was memorable |
| 25 Apr 18 / Seen and Heard |
In the end, it’s best to just feel the force of the sublime music and song |
| 16 Apr 18 / The Reviews Hub |
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Performance schedule
News & 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? |
| 21 Aug 2021 / FAZ |
| Welsh National Opera announces its 2021-22 season |
Joyce El-Khoury, Leonardo Caimi and Andrew Shore lead Welsh National Opera’s 2021-22 season. |
| 11 Jun 2021 / OperaWire |
| Happy 75th birthday Welsh National Opera |
WNO gave its first performance as an opera company – a double-bill of Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Cardiff on 15 April 1946. |
| 16 Apr 2021 / Opera Now |
| Welsh National Opera cancels spring tour |
Welsh National Opera (WNO) has cancelled its forthcoming Spring tour of Il trovatore and The Barber of Seville. |
| 23 Jan 2021 / Opera Now |
| Welsh National Opera 2019/20 season announced |
Welsh National Opera has announced its programme for 2019/20, with highlights including Bizet’s Carmen, Verdi’s Rigoletto and Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen. |
| 22 Jan 2019 / Opera News |
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