| Welsh National Opera - Cardiff | 17 August 2018 |
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Don Giovanni
Tosca
La Forza del Destino
Die Fledermaus
Eugene Onegin
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Performance reviews
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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 |
Has John Caird’s 2011 production improved with this revival? |
| 24 Feb 18 / The Reviews Hub |
A thrilling Don Giovanni at Welsh National Opera |
| 24 Feb 18 / Bachtrack |
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 |
WNO's Wheel of Destiny rolls into Birmingham |
| 9 Mar 18 / Opera Today |
more reviews [+]
The Welsh National Opera’s production was a spectacle |
| 9 Mar 18 / Redbrick |
La fuerza de Preziosilla |
| 22 Feb 18 / Mundo Clásico (Spanish) |
In the orchestra pit, Carlo Rizzi drives Verdi’s music forward with lyrical eloquence |
| 14 Feb 18 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
David Pountney stages one of his finest ever productions for Welsh National Opera |
| 14 Feb 18 / The Stage |
WNO's new production of Verdi's massive opera is a musical triumph |
| 13 Feb 18 / What's on Stage |
The lead trio is wonderfully cast |
| 13 Feb 18 / Independent |
Say your prayers |
| 13 Feb 18 / The Critics' Circle |
WNO’s new La forza del destino packs a considerable punch |
| 8 Feb 18 / Seen and Heard |
Conductor Carlo Rizzi brings about glorious musicianship |
| 6 Feb 18 / South Wales Argus |
Sprawling saga brought into sharper focus |
| 5 Feb 18 / The Guardian |
Wheel of Fortune: Preziosilla spins Pountney's Force of Destiny |
| 5 Feb 18 / Bachtrack |
A jolly good stab at this unwieldy opera |
| 5 Feb 18 / Telegraph |
David Pountney turns this notoriously cumbersome opera into a taut thriller |
| 5 Feb 18 / The Times |
ToscaWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 8 | |
Claire Rutter is a suitably fiery Tosca |
| 31 Mar 18 / The Reviews Hub |
A striking new staging by David Pountney |
| 8 Mar 18 / Classical Source |
Outstanding rendition of Tosca from Welsh National Opera |
| 4 Mar 18 / Morning Star Online |
more reviews [+]
After 25 years, Blakemore’s WNO Tosca continues to serve the opera well |
| 14 Feb 18 / Seen and Heard |
Conductor Carlo Rizzi knows exactly what Puccini needs and he draws wonderful colours from Welsh National Opera’s orchestra |
| 13 Feb 18 / The Times |
Puccini's popular shocker, well revived for Welsh National Opera's Spring tour |
| 13 Feb 18 / What's on Stage |
An uncomplicated, thrilling Tosca from WNO |
| 13 Feb 18 / Bachtrack |
WNO’s Tosca has enough heart, guts and drama to enthral all tastes |
| 12 Feb 18 / The Reviews Hub |
Die FledermausWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 6 | |
In general the production is enjoyable enough, but echt- Viennese it is not |
| 5 Dec 17 / Classical Source |
Musically, Die Fledermaus is thoroughly high-spirited |
| 19 Nov 17 / Bristol 24/7 |
It takes a long time for this show to truly seem like it’s getting anywhere |
| 14 Nov 17 / The Reviews Hub |
more reviews [+]
Sadness and loss, love and laughter |
| 11 Nov 17 / Wirral Globe |
Music and singing ensures this WNO Fledermaus staging deserves Llongevity |
| 3 Nov 17 / Seen and Heard |
John Copley’s production of Die Fledermaus retains its champagne sparkle |
| 17 Oct 17 / Seen and Heard |
From the House of the DeadWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 13 | |
WNO’s blazing Janáček and Tchaikovsky with quite a lot taken out |
| 4 Dec 17 / The Observer |
A choreographic tour de force |
| 1 Dec 17 / Classical Source |
Janáček’s score is played with aplomb by Welsh National Opera’s accomplished orchestra |
| 19 Nov 17 / The Reviews Hub |
more reviews [+]
Dazzling darkness |
| 9 Nov 17 / The Critics' Circle |
Rather a divided audience response for WNO’s from the House of the Dead |
| 6 Nov 17 / Seen and Heard |
The WNO Orchestra performed wonders under Tomáš Hanus |
| 4 Nov 17 / Classical Source |
An arresting From the House of the Dead at Welsh National Opera |
| 12 Oct 17 / Bachtrack |
Welsh National Opera performs From the House of the Dead with unstinting commitment |
| 11 Oct 17 / Financial Times (via Google) |
Hugely powerful and strangely life affirming |
| 11 Oct 17 / Planet Hugill |
Janáček's dark and devastating opera brilliantly revived by WNO |
| 11 Oct 17 / What's on Stage |
Imperfect, oddly shaped and rough round the edges, Janácek’s final opera is also raw and remarkable |
| 10 Oct 17 / The Times |
Landmark staging demands to be heard |
| 10 Oct 17 / The Guardian |
Jolly? No. Unmissable? Yes |
| 10 Oct 17 / Telegraph |
Eugene OneginWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 10 | |
WNO’s blazing Janáček and Tchaikovsky with quite a lot taken out |
| 4 Dec 17 / Seen and Heard |
A convincing and satisfying reading of this popular opera |
| 30 Nov 17 / Classical Source |
As musically adept as one would expect from WNO |
| 17 Nov 17 / The Reviews Hub |
more reviews [+]
Natalya Romaniw and Nicholas Lester are both outstanding |
| 17 Nov 17 / Bristol 24/7 |
Sadness and loss, love and laughter |
| 11 Nov 17 / Wirral Globe |
A very distinguished performance |
| 5 Nov 17 / Classical Source |
Some good singing and acting rescues WNO’s Eugene Onegin from mediocrity |
| 2 Nov 17 / Seen and Heard |
Though there is some fine singing, WNO’s Eugene Onegin doesn’t grip emotionally |
| 4 Oct 17 / Seen and Heard |
A magnificent Tatyana brings subtle anguish to Tchaikovsky’s romantic tragedy |
| 3 Oct 17 / The Stage |
WNO's 2004 production of Tchaikovsky's romantic opera, still powerfully affecting |
| 1 Oct 17 / What's on Stage |
KhovanshchinaWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 9 | |
This Khovanshchina shows Welsh National Opera at its absolute best |
| 2 Nov 17 / Classical Source |
Mussorgsky's great historical opera in an ambitious revival by WNO |
| 4 Oct 17 / What's on Stage |
Chilling, magnificent and unmissable |
| 3 Oct 17 / iNews |
more reviews [+]
Powerful and thought-provoking Khovanschina from Welsh National Opera |
| 28 Sep 17 / Seen and Heard |
The half-minute silence in the darkness of the theatre after the final bars of music says it all. Magnificent |
| 27 Sep 17 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
Russian to destruction |
| 27 Sep 17 / The Critics' Circle |
Despite there being no Russians in the cast, the whole show is sung in Russian, and the difference to the vocal sound is incredible |
| 26 Sep 17 / The Times |
Russia's tragedy becomes the world's in compelling revival |
| 25 Sep 17 / The Guardian |
WNO's Khovanshchina is a thrilling portrait of terror and brutality |
| 25 Sep 17 / Telegraph |
The World's WifeWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Carol Ann Duffy’s poetry anthology has been turned into a digital chamber opera — and the result is very effective |
| 17 Oct 17 / The Times |
Stunning one-woman show telling male genius where it gets off |
| 17 Oct 17 / The Arts Desk |
The Merchant of VeniceWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 9 | |
Excellent team work from the cast |
| 30 Jul 17 / Express |
Welsh National Opera fascinates with Tchaikowsky’s Merchant of Venice |
| 24 Jul 17 / Seen and Heard |
Neglected drama |
| 24 Jul 17 / Planet Hugill |
more reviews [+]
Lionel Friend conducts sympathetically |
| 23 Jul 17 / Music OMH |
Tchaikowsky employs a lyrical vocal idiom which often has much grace |
| 22 Jul 17 / Opera Today |
Keith Warner’s production adds visual brilliance to Andrė Tchaikovsky’s gritty, hard-working music |
| 22 Jul 17 / Financial Times (via Google) |
Strong performances and ample humour |
| 21 Jul 17 / Evening Standard |
Well-worth Shylock’s “pound of flesh” entrance fee |
| 21 Jul 17 / Classical Source |
Incisively played |
| 21 Jul 17 / The Stage |
Der RosenkavalierWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 11 | |
The sands of time |
| 3 Jul 17 / Opera Today |
WNO’s ‘musically glorious’ Rosenkavalier shines in a perceptive and focused production |
| 22 Jun 17 / Seen and Heard |
Fine acting lifts WNO’s Der Rosenkavalier |
| 12 Jun 17 / The Observer |
more reviews [+]
Sumptuous performances from WNO in Der Rosenkavalier |
| 8 Jun 17 / Bachtrack |
Joyous and assertive conducting from Tomáš Hanus, the Company’s new music director |
| 7 Jun 17 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
A stellar cast support Rebecca Evans’ triumphant debut as Strauss’ Marschallin |
| 6 Jun 17 / The Stage |
A notable achievement from the whole company |
| 6 Jun 17 / Opera Today |
Sands of time |
| 6 Jun 17 / The Critics' Circle |
Balances humour and emotion |
| 6 Jun 17 / The Guardian |
A likable and polished Rosenkavalier |
| 6 Jun 17 / Telegraph |
Strauss's romantic masterpiece in a musically transcendent new production |
| 6 Jun 17 / What's on Stage |
Madama ButterflyWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 13 | |
The performance was ‘saved’ by some sterling vocal commitment |
| 3 Jul 17 / Opera Today |
This production was almost as beautiful to watch as it was to listen to |
| 2 Jul 17 / Redbrick |
Linda Richardson is a lovely Butterfly |
| 29 Jun 17 / Classical Source |
more reviews [+]
WNO’s Madame Butterfly is a delicious interpretation of Puccini’s parable of vulnerability in timeless voice and verse |
| 29 Jun 17 / The Reviews Hub |
A classic, traditional staging and has lost little lustre |
| 1 May 17 / Classical Source |
Karah Son's performance is simply quite stunning throughout |
| 29 Apr 17 / Southern Daily Echo |
A traditional Butterfly from WNO satisfies all round |
| 18 Apr 17 / Seen and Heard |
A production that both musically and visually ravishes the senses |
| 3 Apr 17 / The Reviews Hub |
Nagasaki comes to Bedfordshire: WNO's Madama Butterfly in Milton Keynes |
| 28 Mar 17 / Bachtrack |
Moved, but not shattered |
| 24 Feb 17 / The Spectator |
Welsh National Opera revives Joachim Herz's ancient production for its spring tour |
| 20 Feb 17 / What's on Stage |
Wrenching emotional power |
| 14 Feb 17 / The Stage |
The three-decade-old production has lost none of its lustre |
| 12 Feb 17 / The Reviews Hub |
Die FledermausWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 6 | |
WNO's jolly good romp in Birmingham |
| 1 Jul 17 / Bachtrack |
Operetta as it should be – an evening of stylish yet shameless frivolity and fun! |
| 29 Jun 17 / Classical Source |
Fine frocks and farce in WNO’s entertaining and musically successful Fledermaus |
| 10 Jun 17 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
WNO flies high with batty comic opera |
| 31 May 17 / Morning Star Online |
Uproarious, vulgar aplomb |
| 24 May 17 / The Stage |
John Copley’s production keeps all the frills and frou-frou of the original |
| 23 May 17 / The Reviews Hub |
Le vin herbéWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 16 | |
L’opera in scena a Plymouth è congegnata dal Martin come una sorta di “oratorio mondano” |
| 7 May 17 / OperaeOpera |
WNO present an extremely esoteric work on their 2017 tour |
| 15 Apr 17 / Seen and Heard |
Martin’s take is filled with portent gloom from the off |
| 30 Mar 17 / The Reviews Hub |
more reviews [+]
Bitter wine: Frank Martin's Le Vin herbé an acquired taste |
| 23 Mar 17 / Bachtrack |
A very different ‘Tristan’ provides real, if Un-Wagnerian pleasures |
| 3 Mar 17 / Seen and Heard |
Frank Martin was mad to write an opera based on Tristan – but the results are worthwhile |
| 28 Feb 17 / The Spectator |
Magic Potion |
| 28 Feb 17 / The Critics' Circle |
Frank Martin was mad to write an opera based on Tristan – but the results are worthwhile |
| 24 Feb 17 / The Spectator |
This austere composition, more oratorio than opera, approaches the story from its Celtic roots |
| 22 Feb 17 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
Frank Martin’s setting of the Tristan legend is frugally staged but musically luminous |
| 20 Feb 17 / Financial Times (via Google) |
Welsh National Opera’s austere staging packs a vocal punch |
| 20 Feb 17 / The Times |
Swords and bows |
| 20 Feb 17 / The Observer |
With its austere, pared down textures, Martin’s score is a direct, syllabic setting of the words |
| 18 Feb 17 / Classical Source |
associated articles [+]
Le Vin herbé: It's Tristan and Isolde, but not as you know it
Frank Martin’s chamber opera about the tragic lovers is the polar opposite of Wagner’s opulent extravaganza. The director of a new production explains how less is becoming more.
Frank Martin’s chamber opera about the tragic lovers is the polar opposite of Wagner’s opulent extravaganza. The director of a new production explains how less is becoming more.
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Performance schedule
Prokofiev
15 Sep to 24 Nov 2018
Verdi
21 Sep to 23 Nov 2018
Rossini
5 Oct to 22 Nov 2018
Verdi
9 Feb to 24 Apr 2019
Mozart
15 Feb to 11 May 2019
Donizetti
28 Feb to 10 May 2019
News & Articles
| Le Vin herbé: It's Tristan and Isolde, but not as you know it |
Frank Martin’s chamber opera about the tragic lovers is the polar opposite of Wagner’s opulent extravaganza. The director of a new production explains how less is becoming more. |
| 17 Feb 2017 / The Guardian |
| Welsh National Opera announces 2017/18 season |
Welsh National Opera’s 2017/18 season includes the launch of a three-year Verdi trilogy and the premiere of an all-female ‘cabaret opera’ based on the life of Welsh suffragette Margaret Haig Thomas. |
| 11 Feb 2017 / Opera Now |
| Royal Welsh College and WNO launch dedicated opera school |
The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama is to set up a dedicated opera school, in partnership with Welsh National Opera. |
| 10 Feb 2017 / The Stage |
| Welsh National Opera to perform in Dubai |
Welsh National Opera (WNO) will perform Madam Butterfly and La bohème as part of Dubai Opera’s inaugural season. |
| 8 Nov 2016 / Opera Now |
| André Tchaikowsky: from Warsaw to Belmont via a wardrobe |
The maverick Polish-Jewish composer’s life was as colourful as the Shakespeare stories that he adored. Ahead of his only opera’s UK premiere, David Pountney tells how Merchant of Venice finally made it to the s |
| 16 Sep 2016 / The Guardian |
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