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Home , Chapter Arts Centre, Clive Barda, English National Opera, Geraint Talfan Davies, Welsh National Opera

Create Reach Inspire

2018/2019 Annual Review Croeso 2018/2019 has been another incredible year for Welsh National . This year we have created some of our boldest and most ambitious work. We have reached further – touring across England, and beyond, working in some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged parts of our local communities, and provided even more opportunities to inspire the next generation of performers, practitioners and creative leaders.

War and Peace. Full cast. Photo by We believe in the power of opera to transform lives. In 2018/2019 we reached over 145,000 people through our live performance and outreach work.

‘It seems a contradiction to say and outside of the theatre is an that I feel we are entering a new important and valued element era as I take on the privileged of our activity. We will continue role of chairing the Board of an this with an increased vigour, opera company that will celebrate using the tools of technology and its 75th anniversary in 2021. social media to enable people However, with a new General to access our work in new and Director in Aidan Lang and five varied ways to attract new and new board members, the texture varied audiences. We will also and flavour of the leadership of continue to inspire and attract the the Company has a freshness most talented artists of the day, and optimism for the future. and look forward to seeing the Our mission has always been to Company going from strength bring opera to as many people as to strength.’ possible in Wales, England and Yvette Vaughan-Jones beyond. Touring is in our DNA WNO Board Chair and work in communities, schools

Roberto Devereux. Joyce El-Khoury (Elisabetta). Photo by Bill Cooper ‘I am delighted to be able to introduce this Annual Review, my first as General Director. It has been six months since I returned to to join the team at , the place where my opera career really began, where my perspective on ‘what opera should be’ was first formed and the company that I have always considered to be my artistic home. The past few months have served as a reminder that WNO is able to speak to so many audiences through its touring, which in turn provides us with a tremendously exciting opportunity to engage with different communities around the country and to understand how a huge range of people can all be excited by opera. Add to this the sheer variety of activity presented throughout the year by our Youth & Community department, our orchestral concerts and the mid-scale tour, and one sees so clearly the breadth of work that we do, and the skill and versatility of our presenting teams. It is an extremely strong foundation in which to build our future plans. As we look back to the many successes of 2018/2019, from to the FREEDOM Season I cannot but help be excited for the future of the Company.’ Aidan Lang WNO General Director

Un ballo in maschera. WNO Chorus. Photo by Bill Cooper ‘In 2018/2019, the WNO Orchestra and Chorus have confirmed their top artistic form throughout the whole year.

For me particularly, the Autumn Season was a time of working on a profound musical drama – Prokofiev’s War and Peace. It was a really successful Company achievement, and the energy created on stage and in the pit found a great appreciation from the audience. In contrast, Rossini’s La Cenerentola gave great joy to everyone who took part, and WNO Orchestra proved their high skill levels in switching between these different styles every night.

In December, the Company travelled to Brno for a very special event, performing From the House of the Dead at the international Janácˇ ek Festival. The artistic level of this performance, as well the press and public appreciation it received, could be considered as one of the highlights of WNO’s international presence, representing not only WNO but also Cardiff and Wales on an international stage.

In the Summer, I was privileged to work with Sir and the members of WNO’S Youth Opera on Brundibár, a piece originally performed by the children of the Theresienstadt concentration camp during the Holocaust. In the face of a Nazi regime attempting to steal their hope and prepare them only for death, Brundibár allowed the children to breath, to experience human dignity, friendship and beauty. All children, no matter the circumstance, deserve to feel the sunshine that the arts and creative freedom can bestow.’

Tomáš Hanus WNO Music Director

War and Peace. Lauren Michelle (Natasha) and Jonathan McGovern (Andrei). Photo by Clive Barda 105,000 40,000 53,000 125 worldwide live opera people engaged through youth, social media followers live performances and concert audience community and digital work 120,000 202,000 101,000 36 TV and radio broadcast unique website users YouTube views touring venues audience

La Cenerentola. Heather Lowe (Tisbe), Aoife Miskelly (Clorinda) & WNO Chorus. Photo by Jane Hobson Create From bold new productions addressing some of the most challenging socio-political issues of our time, to staging some of the best-loved music and theatre ever imagined, or even re-setting a timeless comic opera classic in a kebab van – Welsh National Opera creates art that is for everyone. Donizetti Mozart

War and Peace Prokofiev From the House of the Dead Janácˇ ek A Night in Vienna Donizetti

La traviata Verdi International Concert Series Dead Man Walking Heggie The Consul Menotti

The Prisoner | La Cenerentola Rossini Un ballo in maschera Verdi Dallapiccola | Beethoven Brundibár Krása Touring is our lifeblood. This year our productions and concerts reached even more towns and cities across Reach England, Wales and beyond. Aberdare, Bangor, , Brecon, , Brno, Cardiff, Dubai, , Hereford, , , , Milford Haven, , Mold, Newport, Newtown, Northampton, Norwich, , , Saffron Walden, Shrewsbury, , St Asaph, St David’s, , Swindon, Winchester, Yeovil

Brundibár. Tomáš Hanus (Conductor). Photo by Johan Persson Inspire Every year, our Youth & Community team

helps to inspire tens of thousands of people ‘What an amazing performance... ‘Words cannot really describe across our communities, from aspiring young still getting over it!’ how I feel – we put it into music. Alyson Macdonald I am incredibly proud of our talent to some of the most vulnerable people WNO Youth Opera parent Community Chorus.’ in our society. There is only one condition: Rob Guy Conductor – Everyone is welcome. WNO Community Chorus North

‘WNO brings a level of excellence in the arts and this is really important particularly in an area of great social deprivation. The arts are for everyone and these kinds of opportunities break down the barriers between social groups.’ Mrs Meehan St Chad’s Catholic Primary School

Photos by Kirsten McTernan and Simon Hadley Over 1,000 young Over 80% of our Our schools 1,600 attended our 380 singers took 1,700 people took 13,000 people visited people took part in our WNO Youth Opera programme of Family Concerts in part in our North part in our free Come our digital experiences WNO Youth Opera Birmingham workshops, events Birmingham, Cardiff and South Wales & Sing events. across the country. groups and taster participants were and concerts worked and Southampton. Community sessions in Cardiff, from black, Asian with over 4,500 pupils Choruses, performing Birmingham and and minority ethnic across 118 schools in to over 5,000 people. Llandudno, performing groups. England, Wales and to over 1,600 people overseas. WNO’s Youth, Community and Digital activity is supported by generous donations from Andrew across the year. Fletcher, Clive & Sylvia Richards, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation and Hodge Foundation. WNO Youth Opera, Birmingham. Photo by Simon Hadley Chorus and This year, WNO received over 60 four and five Orchestra star reviews across local and national press.

WNO Chorus and Orchestra are the La traviata War and Peace Un ballo in maschera La Cenerentola musical and artistic backbone of Verdi Prokofiev Verdi Rossini the Company. This year saw them ‘a magical orchestra ‘This is the chorus of ‘… conductor Carlo ‘The orchestra under fighting at the battle of Moscow in our critically acclaimed new and those rippling, Welsh National Opera, Rizzi presides over a the baton of Tomáš production of War and Peace; rousing vocals, all after all. You just cast and orchestra Hanus, are in their bringing a taste of 19th century combined to pull know they’re going to on terrific form.’ element as they ballrooms to theatres across Wales the audience in so slay, and they do.’ Rian Evans whizz along with the with our A Night in Vienna concert close that they truly Richard Bratby sometimes breakneck tour; and quite literally dancing engaged…’ The Spectator HHHH speed of the libretto, with death in the second instalment Jonathan Sutton whilst the chorus are of our Verdi Trilogy Un ballo in Buzz maschera. at their playful best Learn more about the incredible HHHHH throughout.’ work of the WNO Orchestra here. Mark Rees South Wales Evening Post

Roberto Devereux. WNO Chorus. Photo by Bill Cooper HHHHH Buzz HHHH The Stage HHHH The Morning Star

Pasquale’s Kebabs ‘Once Eaten, Never Beaten’ Seen by over 4,000 people Aberdare, Bangor, Birmingham, Brecon, Hereford, Milford Haven, Mold, Newport, Norwich, Oxford, Shrewsbury, Swansea, Winchester, Yeovil

In Summer 2019 we brought our rollicking new version of Donizetti’s classic comic opera Don Pasquale to mid-scale ‘A gleefully anarchic production.’ theatres across England and Wales, continuing our commitment Steph Power The Stage to reach more people in more places. Set in and around Pasquale’s doner kebab van, this was Don Pasquale like ‘You know I am still laughing!’ you’ve never seen or heard before. Michael Kelligan Theatre in Wales

Cast and Creative Don Pasquale Ernesto Nico Darmanin Norina Harriet Eyley (WNO Associate Artist) Malatesta Quirijn de Lang Director Daisy Evans Music Direction Stephen Higgins

Get behind the grease and mustard stains in our riotous Behind the Scenes film.

Supported by Colwinston Charitable Trust Don Pasquale. Nico Darmanin (Ernesto). Photo by Robert Workman FIVE SEVEN SIX ONE TALKS, DEBATES EXHIBITIONS INCREDIBLE AND DISCUSSIONS AND DIGITAL SEASON INSTALLATIONS

In Summer 2019 we presented WNO FREEDOM, an ambitious Season of operas, talks, debates, discussions, exhibitions and digital projects addressing the issues of justice, freedom and human rights. Join us, as we take a look at some of the many highlights. Find out more

During the Season we welcomed over 2,400 12,000 200 opera attendees exhibition visitors talks, debates and discussion participants

WNO would like to thank all of our FREEDOM Season partners & supporters: ABP South Wales, Amnesty International UK, BBC Cymru Wales / Research and Development, School of Modern Languages, , Children’s Commission for Wales, The Darkley Trust, David Seligman in memory of Philippa Seligman, The Edith Rudiger Gray Trust, Gibbs Charitable Trust, National Assembly for Wales, Oasis Cardiff, University of South Wales, , Welsh Centre for International Affairs, Welsh Refugee Council

Sponsored by

Lester Lynch in The Prisoner. Photo by Richard Hubert Smith Opera

From Jake Heggie’s gritty portrayal of violence and redemption; Nominated for the 2019 Royal Dallapiccola’s expressionist study in the torture of hope; and Hans Philharmonic Society Award for Concert Krása’s charming folk-tale of good triumphing over evil – whose Series and Events performance history is tragically bound up in one of the darkest chapters in the human experience – this FREEDOM Season showcased WNO at its boldest and most daring, receiving critical acclaim in the process.

Dead Man Walking Heggie The Prisoner | Fidelio Act II The Consul Menotti Brundibár Krása ‘A performance of harrowing Dallapiccola | Beethoven ‘Perfectly delivered by a ‘Conducted by the son of a intensity.’ ‘The WNO Chorus and strong cast, in an emotional Terezín survivor, (Tomáš Hanus, way that provided a heartfelt WNO Music Director) WNO Steph Power The Stage Community Chorus, combining gloriously in the experience for the audience.’ Youth Opera gave their all in HHHHH jubilant finale.’ Melissa Compton Cardiff Times an overwhelming production of Hans Krása’s children’s opera.’ Rian Evans The Guardian HHHH Fiona Maddocks HHHHH

The Consul. Photo by Johan Persson Experience

As part of our FREEDOM Season, we were privileged to present a specially curated multi-media exhibition featuring international work from a wide range of acclaimed artists and filmmakers who were inspired and influenced by stories of resilience, identity, hope, liberation and displacement. Find out more

TERMINAL 3 THE LAST FUTURE ALEPPO FREEDOM 360 FLUORESCENCE THE GIRLS OF Asad J. Malik GOODBYE Mohammed Kteish, BBC Wales, Welsh Carys Lewis, WNO ROOM 28 Alex Pearson and National Opera Filmmaker in Residence An augmented reality Gabo Arora, Ari Palitz Hannelore Brenner Andy Overton project exploring The moving testimony A fully immersive A collaboration with An exhibition created contemporary Muslim of holocaust survivor A virtual reality film collaboration between Syrian artist, Kianna in collaboration identities in the USA Pinchas Gutter’s final documenting one boy’s WNO and the BBC Issa, this film documents with the survivors through the lens of an visit to the Majdanek attempt to reconstruct, highlighting the personal the voices of some of of Theresienstadt airport interrogation. Concentration Camp, in paper, the memory stories of five refugees the women whose lives concentration camp to told through a fully and spirit of the home who were forced to flee have been impacted by remember the young immersive virtual he was forced to leave from their homes before immigration. girls who lived with reality film. behind. finding a new life in them in Room 28 and Wales. were murdered in the Holocaust.

‘BBC Wales was very happy to be involved in the exhibition alongside WNO’s Freedom Season. It was surely a first for Cardiff, to have this range of quality VR/AR experiences together in one place, and can only be good for the prominence of the growing Immersive technology sector in Wales.’ Robin Moore Head of Innovation, BBC Wales

FREEDOM 360 and Terminal 3. Photos by Poly Thomas

Community

In 2018/2019, WNO embarked upon a five year During this year, we have taken up residency at the Oasis Centre, Cardiff, bringing together refugees, asylum seekers, WNO partnership with the Welsh Refugee Council. practitioners and music students to create a new composition Our aim is to develop collaborative projects influenced by their different languages and cultures, Hope has with local refugee and asylum seeker partner Wings. We also brought together professional and aspiring artists from local refugee and asylum seeker communities in organisations; create new opportunities for Cardiff to create a piece of developmental theatre Beyond the musicians and artists within this community Rainbow, exploring the myths that mainstream media have to develop and showcase their work; and to created surrounding refugees and asylum seekers. create work that is fully representative of the ‘Welsh Refugee Council is thrilled ‘The partnership was formed diverse communities we serve. that artists with experience of to help refugees and asylum displacement are being offered seekers to gain access to the the chance to develop and share arts and develop their skills. their creative skills with WNO, to It’s great to see these sorts of learn from arts industry leaders, projects being led by a renowned to gain access to employment opera company like WNO. It opportunities and to share helps highlight the idea that stories more widely with theatre communities from different audiences.’ backgrounds and skill levels can help each other.’ Rosie Leach Welsh Refugee Council Mehdi Razi Emerging Producer for Beyond the Rainbow

Beyond the Rainbow is supported by the Darkley Trust

Hope Has Wings and Beyond The Rainbow Samuel Gosrani (Kumar) & Imran Chaudhry (Nawfel). Photos by Polly Thomas and Tess Seymour Talent

As part of our ongoing commitment to developing new talent, the ‘Welsh National Opera saved its mightiest blow, FREEDOM Season brought together every element of the performing as touching and joyful as company, from our stunning WNO Chorus and Orchestra to our it was painful, until last.’ Fiona Maddocks Community Chorus and award-winning WNO Youth Opera. The Observer HHHHH Dead Man Walking Fidelio Brundibár Featured an incredible cast Saw 60 members of WNO In a first for the Company, ‘To say I am truly of international professionals, Community Chorus South members and alumni of the WNO overwhelmed at WNO Youth Opera alumni and Wales perform alongside the Youth Opera performed as part yesterday’s performance members, students of the Royal WNO Chorus and BBC National of a main scale season led by our is an understatement.’ Welsh College of Music & Drama Orchestra of Wales. Artistic Director Sir David Pountney and a WNO Youth Opera chorus and Music Director Tomáš Hanus. Angharad Horsey, of 12 children aged 8-12, all WNO Youth Opera parent Click to view our behind the accompanied by the full might scenes video. HHHHH of the WNO Orchestra. Click to view our behind the scenes video.

Brundibár was supported by David Seligman and in memory of Philippa Seligman, The Gibbs Charitable Trust and the Edith Rudinger Gray Trust.

WNO Youth Opera. Brundibár. Photo by Johan Persson Health This year we continued to develop our work in health and wellbeing, providing weekly Come & Sing sessions at University Hospital Wales and our regular dementia friendly cinema screenings with Theatr Colwyn and Pontio. In addition, we piloted our new Cradle project in Swansea, an intergenerational creative arts project designed to increase dementia awareness in young people and provide a place for those affected by dementia to spend quality time with friends and family through song.

‘...What a wonderful and mutually beneficial activity for both generations, so important. Thank you for asking us to be involved. Hearing how the children had grasped a better understanding and awareness of dementia is fantastic.’ Nicola Williams Care Home Manager, Hengoed Court/Park Care Home

WNO Cradle Choir Concert. Photo by Kirsten McTernan Cradle Choir We offered weekly sessions for those either living with or affected by dementia and their families to come together and sing in a relaxed, friendly setting.

Cradle Schools We established an educational programme with two Swansea primary schools, providing a combination of dementia awareness sessions, creative writing, music workshops – led by practitioners from both WNO and Alzheimer’s Society – and a visit to Hengoed Court/Park Care Home, which gave the children a chance to meet and spend time with people living with the condition.

The two groups joined together in a final sharing of their music, song and poetry – joined by members of WNO Orchestra – at the Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea.

To find out more about Cradle, please watch our film Dementia and Us.

WNO Cradle Choir Concert. Photo by Kirsten McTernan Creative Partners

Collaboration is at the heart of what we do, alongside a programme of performances, youth, community and digital events, WNO forges artistic partnerships with opera companies and cultural partners around the globe.

4-Wood TV & Film Construction, Aberdare Coliseum, All Scene School, Liverpool Empire Theatre (ATG), Llandrillo yn Rhos, School, St Joseph’s Cathedral Primary, St Joseph’s Catholic All Props, Allens Croft Primary School, Alzheimer’s Society, Llandudno Venue Cymru, Llangyfelach Primary, Lozells Primary Primary, St Joseph’s Primary School, St Mellons Primary, Amnesty International UK, Anglesey Primary School, APOLLO and Junior School, Maes Ebbw School, Maes Y Coed Primary St Michael’s Church of England Aided Primary School, St Peters UK Productions Ltd, Arts Connect, Aston Manor School, ATG School, Maesteg Comprehensive School, Marlborough Primary Primary School, St Thomas More Catholic School, St. Winefride’s Productions Ltd, Barry Memo Arts Centre, Bay Productions, School, Maryvale School, Mayfield School, Meadowbank School, Primary School, Starbank Primary School, Stoke Damerel BBC Cymru Wales / Research and Development, BBC National Meena Centre, Milford Haven Torch, Millbank Primary School, Primary School, Stoke Park School and Community Technology Orchestra of Wales, BBC Online, BBC Radio 3, BBC One Milton Keynes Theatre (ATG), MM! The Party Limited, Moor College, Stuart Road Primary School, Swansea Centre for Wales, BBC Two Wales, Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham Hall Primary School, Moorland Primary School, Mount Wise Innovative Ageing , Swansea Council, Swansea Taliesin Arts MAC, Birmingham Town Hall, Black Country Music Hubs, Community Primary, Musical Memories , National Assembly for Centre, Swansea University, Swindon Wyvern, Taliesin Arts Blessed W. Davies Primary School, Bodnant Gardens, Brecon Wales, National Dance Company Wales, National of Centre, Temple of Peace, The Bridge Theatre, The Chancellors Theatr Brycheiniog, Bristol Hippodrome (ATG), Brno Pavilion, Wales, National Theatre, National Theatre Productions Limited, Hall, The Exchange Hotel, The Great Hall, Swansea, The Bryntirion High School, Cann Bridge Special School, CânSing, Nelson Mandela School, Newport Riverfront, Nonsuch Primary Hollies Special School, The Hub, Hazelwell, The Link Academy, Cardiff University School of Modern Languages, Cardiff West School, Northampton Royal, Norwich Playhouse, Notre Dame The Royal Horticultural Society, The Senedd, Theatr Clwyd, Community High School, Centre for Musical Arts, Chandos Secondary School, Oasis Cardiff, , Our Lady of Theatr Colwyn, Theatr Hafren, Theatre Bonn, Theatre Severn Primary School, Chapter Arts Centre, Chapter Arts Centre, Cherry Lourdes Catholic Primary School, Our Roots, Oxford New Shrewsbury, Tie Line Productions Ltd, Torbridge High, University Orchard School, Cherryoak School, Chichester Festival Theatre, Theatre (ATG), Oxford Playhouse, Parkland Primary School, Pen Hospital of Wales, University of South Wales, Victoria CP School, Children’s Commission for Wales, Christchurch CP School, y Fro Primary School, Penrhyn New Broughton School, Pierhead Wales Millennium Centre, Welsh Centre for International Affairs, Colmore Junior and Infant School, Council Chamber, Glamorgan Building, Pilgrim Primary School, Plymouth School of Creative Welsh Refugee Council, Weston Studio, Widey Court School, Building, Dementia UK, Dickens Heath Primary School, Dubai Arts, Plymouth Theatre Royal, Plympton Academy, Pontio Wild Creations Ltd, William Aston Hall, Willowbrook Primary, British School, Dubai Opera House, Eisteddfod, Elburton Primary Bangor, Q3 Tipton, Queensbury School, Quinton Church Primary Winchester Theatre Royal, Windsor Clive Primary School, School, Elliott and Harper, , Erdington School, R G S Springfield School, Raddlebarn Primary School, Wolverhapton University, Woodlands Special School, Yeovil Hall Primary School, Forget Me Not, Fundació Del Gran Teatre Regents Park Community Primary School, Riverbank Special Octagon Theatre, Yew Tree Primary School, , Ysgol Bro De Liceu, Galeri, Galeri Caernarfon, George Dixon Junior School, , Royal Shakespeare Company, Famau, Ysgol Cwm Gwyddon, Ysgol Deganwy, Ysgol Dyffryn and Infant School, Glyncoed Primary, Glyndebourne Festival Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Rydal School Penrhos, Ogwen, Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan, Ysgol Ffordd Dyffryn, Ysgol Glan Opera, Glyndwr University, Good Chance Theatre, Great Hall, Ryders Green Primary School, Salesman We 2019 LTD, Saltash. Ceubal, Ysgol Gogarth, Ysgol Gymraeg Mornant, Ysgol Gymraeg Greenholm Primary School, Grove & St Chad’s Schools, Grove net School, Shireland Hall Primary Academy, Sketty Primary y Cwm, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Lon Las, Ysgol Iau Hen Golwyn, Primary School, Hawthorn Primary School, Hengoed Park Care School, Somerville Primary School, Southampton Mayflower, Ysgol John Bright, Ysgol Llagelynnin, Ysgol Llanddulas, Ysgol Home, Herbert Thompson Primary School, Hereford Courtyard, Southampton University, St Andrews Primary School, St Asaph’s Merllyn, Ysgol Morfa Rhianedd, Ysgol Nantgwyn, Ysgol Pen Cae, Heronsbridge School, High Street Primary School, High Street Cathedral, St Bernadette’s Primary School, St Chad’s Primary Ysgol Penybryn, Ysgol Rydal Penrhos, Ysgol San Sior, Ysgol Primary School Plymouth, Hoddinott Hall, Holte Comprehensive School, St Christophers School, St Clare’s Primary School, St St Elfod, Ysgol Treganna, Ysgol Tryfan, Ysgol Tudno, Ysgol y School, Houston Grand Opera, Injan Cyf, John Frost High Cuthbert’s Primary, St Cyres High School, St David’s Cathedral, Plas, Ystrad Mynach Primary School. School, John Hansard Gallery, Kiln Theatre, Lansdowne Primary St David’s Hall, St George’s Primary School, St Helen’s Primary Welsh National Opera would like to express its deepest gratitude to all its supporters in 2018/2019. It is your generosity that enables us to continue Diolch to create, reach and inspire. Thank you for being part of our story.

Patron Trusts and Foundations The Veronica Awdry Charitable Trust Menna Richards Ivor Samuels & Gerry Wakelin His Royal Highness Arts Council England The Ambache Charitable Trust Anonymous (3) Mr and Mrs John Harding Dr David Speller Baron Davenport’s Charity Mr & Mrs John & Maggie Hayes David & Margaret Walker WNO Board of Directors General Director’s Circle The Prince of Wales The Barbara Whatmore Charitable Trust Kenneth Henderson John Ward Yvette Vaughan-Jones (Chair) Anthony & Elizabeth Bunker Bateman Family Charitable Trust Mrs Paula Hyman Veronica Warner & Viv Wylie Nicola Amery Andrew Fletcher Honorary President The Bernarr Rainbow Trust Dr Susan Iles Anonymous (2) Lynne Berry OBE David Macfarlane Mathew Prichard CBE, DL The Boltini Trust Richard Jackson Dr Chitra Bharucha Professor Rolf and Mrs Shirley Olsen FREEDOM Season The Derek Hill Foundation Gloria Jenkins Toks Dada Marian & Gordon Pell Corporate Supporter Emeritus President Chrimes Family Foundation David John & Lady Hunt Manon Edwards Ahir Mathew & Lucy Prichard Associated British Ports Lord Davies of Llandinam Colwinston Charitable Trust Huw & Jan Lewis Daniel Evans Clive & Sylvia Richards The Darkley Trust Bob Lowe Trust Supporters Tony Hales CBE (2011 – 2019) John Ward Dunard Fund Mr C Mathias The Darkley Trust Fflur Jones (2014 – 2019) Edith Rudinger Gray Trust Diamond Patrons Don Moore Edith Rudinger Gray Charitable Trust Sam Jones Ernest Cook Trust Philippa & David Seligman Sally Morgan The Gibbs Charitable Trust Henry Little Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Oleg Prokofiev Trust Anonymous (1) Andrew Miller The Eveson Charitable Trust War and Peace Lynne Plummer Mark Molyneux (Chair 2016 – 2019) Garfield Weston Foundation Role Supporters Mr & Mrs Brian P Price WNO FREEDOM Donors Aileen Richards The Gaynor Cemlyn Jones Trusts Anthony & Elizabeth Bunker Brian & Anne Smith Ann Bryan Elen ap Robert Gibbs Charitable Trust Susan Corby & John Ward Emma Whitaker Dr J and Dr S Dransfield Martyn Ryan The GJW Turner Trust Dr Julia P Ellis Will Wyatt CBE Kenneth Henderson Will Wyatt CBE (2011 – 2019) Grantham Yorke Trust Christopher Greene & Annmaree George Yates Gloria Jenkins O’Keeffe Henry Lewis WNO Advisory Board The Gwendoline and Anonymous (7) Margaret Davies Charity Malcolm Herring Gaynor Scrivenger Justin Albert WNO Verdi Syndicate The Hodge Foundation Jenour Foundation David Macfarlane Nancy Lavin Albert Neville & Nicola Abraham International Music and Art Foundation Sheri & Janet Tullah Janet MacGregor Saphié Ashtiany Margaret & Stephen Bickford-Smith Jenour Foundation Simon Gibson Charitable Trust Don Moore OBE DL Anthony Boswood The John Coates Charitable Trust Marigold Oakley Colin Fletcher War and Peace Anthony & Elizabeth Bunker The John S Cohen Foundation Philippa & David Seligman Keith Griffiths Production Supporters Patrick & Wendy Elias Joseph Strong Frazer Trust Emma Whitaker Harry Hyman David Macfarlane Dr Julia P Ellis Joyce Fletcher Charitable Trust Anonymous (2) Samantha Maskrey The Derek Hill Foundation Colin & Sylvia Fletcher The Laspen Trust Gordon Pell Luke Gardiner Don Pasquale The Leche Trust War and Peace Marian Pell Christopher Greene & Annmaree Colwinston Charitable Trust Leonard Chadwick Charitable Trust Chorus Supporters Christopher Pickup, LVO OBE O’Keeffe Millichope Foundation Ann Bryan WNO Bursaries John J Studzinski CBE Mr & Mrs John & Maggie Hayes National Lottery Community Fund Peter & Kate Carroll Anthony Evans Scholarship Harry Hyman & Melanie Meads Business Partners and Sponsors The Nicholas John Trust Mrs Rose Clay Chris Ball Bursary David John & Lady Hunt Ancre Hill Estates Noël Coward Foundation Ann & Giles Currie Sir John Moores Award Steven & Meg John Associated British Ports Oakdale Trust Rhys & Susan Family Bursary Sir Timothy & Lady Lloyd Capital Apartments Oleg Prokofiev Trust Dr J and Dr S Dransfield Schӓfer Bursary Peter & Veronica Lofthouse Eversheds Sutherland LLP The Owen Family Trust Charles Dumas Mary Warner Trust David Macfarlane MAC Cosmetics Players of People’s Postcode Lottery D Morgan Shirley & Rolf Olsen Bursary William & Felicity Mather A Mclays & Co. PRS Foundation’s The Open Fund Peter Espenhahn Harriet & Michael Maunsell WNO Partners Mosimann’s Rainbow Dickinson Trust Christine M Evans Hugh & Eleanor Paget Pendine Park RVW Trust Sigi Evans Marian & Gordon Pell WNO Friends Restaurant James Sommerin The Samuel Gardner Memorial Trust Colin & Sylvia Fletcher Mr & Mrs Anthony Pitt-Rivers Spire Healthcare Simon Gibson Charitable Trust Martin & Jo Furber American Friends of Mathew & Lucy Prichard Sugarbush Trust Janet M Hammond Welsh National Opera What’s next?

Carmen Les vêpres siciliennes Così fan tutte aka School of Love The Black Spider Jo Davies’ new production, set in WNO’s successful Verdi Trilogy – In Summer 2020, Welsh National In April 2020, members of our 1970s Central America, will bring all (2018), Un ballo Opera takes us back to school with award-winning WNO Youth Opera will the passion and drama expected from in maschera (2019) – concludes in a brand new production of Mozart’s stage a performance of ’s this iconic opera in our Autumn 2019 Spring 2020 with the thrilling Les comic opera, set in a secondary school The Black Spider at the Memo Arts and Spring 2020 Seasons. vêpres siciliennes. in the early 1970s this show will tour Centre, Barry. mid-scale theatres across Wales and England.

Beethoven 250 The Nightingale | Bluebeard’s Castle Five Year Anniversary of our Regular As part of Beethoven 250, Welsh Summer 2020 sees the return of WNO Schools Work National Opera has teamed up with alumni Sir in the title role of To celebrate the five year anniversary BBC National Orchestra and Chorus Bartók’s haunting Bluebeard’s Castle of our regular schools programme in of Wales, St David’s Hall, Royal Welsh in a contrasting double bill with the South Wales, all of the pupils currently College of Music & Drama and Sinfonia enchanting fairy tale, Stravinsky’s The participating in the scheme will come Cymru to programme a series of Nightingale, for a run of performances together with the WNO Orchestra events to celebrate the life and work at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff to stage an amazing showcase of the composer. and Royal Opera House, London. performance in Summer 2020. Keep in touch with WNO wno.org.uk

Welsh National Opera is a Charity registered in England and Wales (number 221538). Its trustee is Welsh National Opera Ltd, a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 454297).