WNO's Open House
Saturday 7 June

Find out more about your very own opera company!

We have so much to tell you about WNO we have decided to throw open our doors so we can tell you everything in person!

A packed day of FREE events for everyone to enjoy in WNO's home - Wales Millennium Centre.

WNO's Open House is for everyone.  If you have never been to an opera before - or you are a regular member of the audience but want to find out more - this is your chance.

WNO's Open House is for all the family with and there will be lots of different events and at different times throughout the day - from workshops, concerts, an opera trail, masterclasses, wigs, wardrobe and props demonstrations to surprise impromptu operatic scenes - you won't want to be anywhere else on Saturday 7 June!

11am - 6.45pm                 Photography competition

Take part in WNO's special Open House photography competition - bring your cameras or even your camera phone and record your experience of Open House - prizes in different age categories and the best pictures will go on WNO's website

11am-6.45pm                    Colouring competition

Take part in our children's colouring competition and have your work displayed on the WNO website! The age categories are 0-5 years and 6-10 years. If you'd like to take part, pick up some crayons and a colouring sheet from the Open House Activites desk on the day.

11am - 6.45pm            WNO Trail

11.30am                       Verdi concert - performed by members of the community choir

12.30pm                       The Merman King Film

12.30pm                       Tour*

1pm                               Foyer concert - The New Horizons Trio perform a programme including pieces by Verdi, Haydn, Berlin and Arnold. (Tesco Stage)

1.30pm                          Tour*

1.30pm - 2.45pm           John Fisher Masterclass

WNO's General Director's Masterclasses have become legendary for their entertaining and fascinating insight into the process of preparing a singer for performance.  This afternoon John works with Mario Solimene and Joanne Boag.

2pm - 5.30pm               Aida Scratch Chorus & Orchestra workshops*

Play an instrument or sing in the shower?  Join in the Scratch Orchestra or Chorus to learn music from Verdi's Aida - by 5pm no previous experience required - and by 5pm the Chorus and Orchestra will be ready to perform in public!  People are still talking about last year's Scratch Carmen so don't miss out - sign up now!

2pm - 4pm                    Story-telling Art Workshop*

A creative workshop for all ages. Based on the plot of Aida, this workshop will explore the art of storytelling with the opportunity to get messy with paints - Bring old clothes!

2.30pm                         Tour*

3pm                             The Merman King Film

3.30pm                        Tour*

4pm                             The Merman King Film

4pm                             On stage with Aida*

Unprecedented access to WNO's rehearsal process. A unique chance to listen in on the rehearsals taking place in the Donald Gordon Theatre of the covers for the lead roles in WNO's Aida.

5pm                             Scratch Aida Chorus and Orchestra performance

6pm-6.45pm                Welsh National Youth Opera performance