Make the most of your opera-going. This specially devised programme of events has been designed to maximise your enjoyment of our performances.

Free Pre-performance talks

These 30-minute talks give you an expert introduction to each opera. You'll be provided with everything you need to enjoy your evening. To book a free ticket visit the theatres box office.

The Whole Story

Ideal for those who like to prepare in advance for their evening at an opera. In this session you'll find out everything you need to know about the stories, music and background of the operas in our Autumn and Spring seasons:

Autumn Season: Don Giovanni, The Barber of Seville and Katya Kabanova 2pm-4pm

Saturday 8 October, Liverpool Empire Theatre
Saturday 12 November, Birmingham Hippodrome

Spring Season: La traviata, Beatrice & Benedict and The Marriage of Figaro 2pm-4pm

Saturday 4 February, Wales Millennium Centre
Saturday 3 March, Birmingham Hippodrome
Saturday 10 March, Venue Cymru, Llandudno

£8 per person per talk.

In Depth

An opportunity to gain a detailed insight into a subject relating to one or more of this season's operas. Each talk will be given by a specialist in that field.

The Barber of Seville
Saturday 1 October, 4pm - 5pm, Wales Millenium Centre
The Marriage of Figaro
Thursday 1 March, 4pm - 5pm, Wales Millennium Centre

£5 per person per talk.

In Depth Afternoon

A special afternoon-long event combining performances and talks from guest speakers looking at how Wagner's personal relationships may have inspired Tristan and Isolde.

Thursday 31 May, 2pm - 5.30pm £10 per person. Wales Millennium Centre

Family Workshop

Share the magic of opera with your family at this fun, interactive workshop.

Autumn: The Barber of Seville Family Workshop, 4pm - 5.30pm

Saturday 24 September, Wales Millennium Centre
Saturday 15 October, Liverpool Empire Theatre
Saturday 22 October, Swansea Grand Theatre
Saturday 10 March, Venue Cymru, Llandudno
Saturday 12 November, The Bristol Hippodrome
Saturday 19 November, Birmingham Hippodrome
Saturday 26 November, New Theatre Oxford
Saturday 3 December, Southampton Park Hotel

Spring: The Marriage of Figaro Family Workshop, 4 - 5.30pm

Saturday 3 March, Wales Millennium Centre

£3 Adults, £2 Children

Come and Sing

These events are perfect for anyone who has ever watched an opera and thought "You know what? I'd like to sing that". No singing experience or music reading ability is necessary, you just need a passion for singing. Over the course of a two-hour workshop you will get to know choral extracts from each opera and then be part of a short performance.

Katya Kabanova Tuesday 27 September
La traviata Friday 24 February
Tristan and Isolde Thursday 31 May

All Come and Sing events start at 7pm. £3 per person per event.

High Tea Afternoon

Indugle yourself and friends with a sumptuous afternoon tea. Members of the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera will provide accompaniment with a mouth-watering programme of his music by Mozart and his contemporaries.

Thursday 8 March, Brimingham Hippodrome 3.30pm - 5.30pm
Tuesday 3 April, Theatre Royal Plymouth 3.30pm - 5.30pm
Thursday 29 March, Southampton Park Hotel 3.30pm - 5.30pm

£10 per person.