Welsh National Opera (WNO) is an opera company based in Cardiff, Wales; it gave its first performances in 1946. It began as a mainly amateur body and transformed into an all-professional ensemble by 1973. In its early days the company gave a single week's annual season in Cardiff, gradually extending its schedule to become an all-year-round operation, with its own salaried chorus and orchestra. It has been described by The New York Times as "one of the finest operatic ensembles in Europe".
The New Theatre, WNO's Cardiff venue for 50 years from 1954
Geraint Evans, guest principal in 1966 and 1969
Tito Gobbi, WNO's Falstaff in 1972
Sir Charles Mackerras (pictured in 2005) became musical director in 1986.
Wales Millennium Centre (WMC) is Wales' national arts centre located in the Cardiff Bay area of Cardiff, Wales. The site covers a total area of 4.7 acres (1.9 ha). Phase 1 of the building was opened during the weekend of 26–28 November 2004 and phase 2 opened on 22 January 2009 with an inaugural concert.
Wales Millennium Centre
Site of the proposed Cardiff Bay Opera House and later Wales Millennium Centre in the open space in the middle of the image
The Donald Gordon Theatre auditorium
The Donald Gordon Theatre stage
