| Welsh National Opera - Cardiff | 3 May 2024 |
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Death in Venice
Così fan tutte
La Traviata
Ainadamar
Die Zauberflöte
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Performance reviews
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Eugene OneginWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 10 | |
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 |
more reviews [+]
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 |
WNO's Khovanshchina is a thrilling portrait of terror and brutality |
| 25 Sep 17 / Telegraph |
Russia's tragedy becomes the world's in compelling revival |
| 25 Sep 17 / The Guardian |
The World's WifeWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Stunning one-woman show telling male genius where it gets off |
| 17 Oct 17 / The Arts Desk |
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 |
The Merchant of VeniceWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 9 | |
Excellent team work from the cast |
| 30 Jul 17 / Express |
Neglected drama |
| 24 Jul 17 / Planet Hugill |
Welsh National Opera fascinates with Tchaikowsky’s Merchant of Venice |
| 24 Jul 17 / Seen and Heard |
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 |
Well-worth Shylock’s “pound of flesh” entrance fee |
| 21 Jul 17 / Classical Source |
Incisively played |
| 21 Jul 17 / The Stage |
Strong performances and ample humour |
| 21 Jul 17 / Evening Standard |
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 |
Sands of time |
| 6 Jun 17 / The Critics' Circle |
Strauss's romantic masterpiece in a musically transcendent new production |
| 6 Jun 17 / What's on Stage |
A notable achievement from the whole company |
| 6 Jun 17 / Opera Today |
A likable and polished Rosenkavalier |
| 6 Jun 17 / Telegraph |
A stellar cast support Rebecca Evans’ triumphant debut as Strauss’ Marschallin |
| 6 Jun 17 / The Stage |
Balances humour and emotion |
| 6 Jun 17 / The Guardian |
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 |
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 |
more reviews [+]
Linda Richardson is a lovely Butterfly |
| 29 Jun 17 / Classical Source |
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 / The Star |
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 |
Swords and bows |
| 20 Feb 17 / The Observer |
Frank Martin’s setting of the Tristan legend is frugally staged but musically luminous |
| 20 Feb 17 / Financial Times |
Welsh National Opera’s austere staging packs a vocal punch |
| 20 Feb 17 / The Times |
An intoxicating, though sombre, evening |
| 18 Feb 17 / The Reviews Hub |
Swiss composer Frank Martin's version of the Tristan legend is very different from Wagner's |
| 18 Feb 17 / What's on Stage |
With its austere, pared down textures, Martin’s score is a direct, syllabic setting of the words |
| 18 Feb 17 / Classical Source |
A stark, brilliant new Tristan and Iseult staging |
| 18 Feb 17 / The Guardian |
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.
La bohèmeWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 10 | |
Convincing acting and singing overcomes an overloud orchestra in WNO’s La bohème |
| 14 Apr 17 / Seen and Heard |
A glowing Bohème |
| 7 Apr 17 / The Spectator |
Annabel Arden's production of Puccini's tragic masterpiece returns to WNO |
| 17 Feb 17 / What's on Stage |
more reviews [+]
WNO’s La bohème is all the more powerful for its traditional approach |
| 10 Feb 17 / Seen and Heard |
Rooftops of Paris |
| 7 Feb 17 / The Critics' Circle |
Marina Costa-Jackson proved a rich-voiced Mimì |
| 4 Feb 17 / Independent |
A musically and visually opulent La bohème from Welsh National Opera |
| 1 Feb 17 / Bachtrack |
For a touring production with limited scope for elaborate stage designs this is little short of miraculous |
| 1 Feb 17 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
Marina Costa-Jackson rises superbly to the challenge of the role of Mimi |
| 30 Jan 17 / The Reviews Hub |
A sensitive and, at times, bizarrely comic production performed with assurance |
| 30 Jan 17 / Classical Source |
Kiss me, KateWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 12 | |
WNO’s Kiss Me, Kate receives an enthusiastic reception in North Wales |
| 1 Dec 16 / Seen and Heard |
Welsh National Opera’s production is infectious |
| 15 Nov 16 / Opera Today |
Welsh National Opera's production of Cole Porter's absolutely fabulous Kiss Me Kate, goes off like a rocket |
| 12 Nov 16 / The Birmingham Post |
more reviews [+]
Wunderbar |
| 8 Nov 16 / The Critics' Circle |
Kiss Me, Kate is seriously classy entertainment |
| 15 Oct 16 / Bristol 24/7 |
WNO’s intoxicating Kiss Me, Kate has vivacious energy and effervescent intelligence |
| 5 Oct 16 / Seen and Heard |
A wonderful show |
| 5 Oct 16 / Bachtrack |
Unmissable |
| 5 Oct 16 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
Memorable Kiss from the Welsh National Opera |
| 5 Oct 16 / The Star |
Welsh National Opera cranks up the feelgood factor |
| 1 Oct 16 / The Guardian |
An astonishingly entertaining production of a properly old-school musical |
| 30 Sep 16 / The Reviews Hub |
WNO's Kiss Me Kate is a 'joy to behold |
| 30 Sep 16 / Wales Online |
The Merchant of VeniceWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 13 | |
Merchant of Venice is not easy on the ear but well staged and with a sterling cast |
| 1 Dec 16 / Seen and Heard |
In the starkest terms, it hammers home the play’s continuing relevance |
| 13 Oct 16 / The Reviews Hub |
A brave, uncompromising start to WNO's autumn season |
| 13 Oct 16 / Bristol 24/7 |
more reviews [+]
WNO tours the 'other' Tchaikowsky's previously unseen Shakespeare opera |
| 13 Oct 16 / What's on Stage |
Overall the piece has much to justify revival |
| 2 Oct 16 / Goucestershire Live |
Welsh National Opera's The Merchant of Venice is powerful and tense but far too long |
| 1 Oct 16 / Wales Online |
Near-ideal première from our boldest opera company |
| 22 Sep 16 / The Spectator |
André Tchaikowsky makes an important contribution to Shakespearean opera with his Merchant of Venice |
| 21 Sep 16 / Seen and Heard |
Tchaikowsky's opera reminds us that prejudice is ever present |
| 20 Sep 16 / The Guardian |
Significant and deeply moving: a must see |
| 20 Sep 16 / Independent |
All that glitters: Tchaikowsky's The Merchant of Venice staged by Welsh National Opera |
| 19 Sep 16 / Bachtrack |
Tchaikovsky’s complex score, while laudable on its own, detracts rather than emboldens this deeply disturbing play |
| 18 Sep 16 / The Reviews Hub |
Tchaikowsky’s Merchant of Venice is much more than a relic or curiosity |
| 18 Sep 16 / Telegraph |
associated articles [+]
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
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
MacbethWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 16 | |
WNO’s current Macbeth compares poorly with other Verdi productions over past 50 years |
| 1 Dec 16 / Seen and Heard |
A masterful blend of high culture music and storytelling |
| 14 Nov 16 / Redbrick |
Conductor Andriy Yurkevych drew swirling, baleful sounds from the pit |
| 11 Nov 16 / The Birmingham Post |
more reviews [+]
Miriam Murphy’s Lady Macbeth stood out as the driving force behind the grisly machinations |
| 28 Oct 16 / Classical Source |
While the chorus and Lady Macbeth are on stage the evening soars |
| 14 Oct 16 / The Reviews Hub |
This Macbeth sometimes seems silly, but is never dull and frequently exhilarating |
| 14 Oct 16 / Bristol 24/7 |
Let’s hope Oliver Mears’s new production is a lapse from an operatic risk-taker, not a portent of things to come at the ROH |
| 29 Sep 16 / The Spectator |
Mary Elizabeth Williams has a voice of such range and power to send a shiver through Scotland |
| 26 Sep 16 / Goucestershire Live |
Musically excellent but excessively brutal |
| 21 Sep 16 / Bachtrack |
Macbeth abre la nueva temporada de la Welsh National Opera |
| 21 Sep 16 / Opera World (Spanish) |
Darkness rising |
| 20 Sep 16 / The Critics' Circle |
Wonderfully vigorous but lacking psychopathic chemistry |
| 17 Sep 16 / Independent |
Oliver Mears’ poorly thought out Macbeth doesn’t inhibit some fine singing and playing |
| 16 Sep 16 / Seen and Heard |
Conducting by Andriy Yurkevych brought out the energy and rhythm of the music |
| 14 Sep 16 / Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews |
Welsh National Opera sing the Caledonian Troubles |
| 12 Sep 16 / The Guardian |
An uneasy, yet gritty experience |
| 12 Sep 16 / The Reviews Hub |
In ParenthesisWelsh National OperaNo. of reviews: 15 | |
David Jones' mystical vision of the First World War brought unevenly to life, with Iain Bell's richly atmospheric music |
| 4 Jul 16 / Planet Hugill |
Iain Bell’s new opera gives musical expression to David Jones’ epic World War I poem |
| 2 Jul 16 / Seen and Heard |
Bell’s opera is well-crafted, WNO’s performance well-drilled |
| 2 Jul 16 / Opera Today |
more reviews [+]
Technically exceptional |
| 1 Jul 16 / The Stage |
Reviews search
Performance schedule
Mozart
24 Feb to 4 May 2024
Puccini
15 to 22 Jun 2024
Verdi
21 Sep to 16 Nov 2024
Puccini
29 Sep to 13 Nov 2024
Mozart
6 Feb to 6 Jun 2025
Various
1 Mar to 8 Jun 2025
Britten
5 Apr to 7 Jun 2025
News & Articles
| Welsh National Opera drops shows over funding cuts |
The company has said it will not be touring to Llandudno or Bristol early next year because of "increasing financial challenges". |
| 17 Apr 2024 / BBC News |
| 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 |
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