Welsh National Youth Opera (WNYO)
WNYO caters for enthusiastic young singers, instrumentalists, trainee repetiteurs and work experience students (stage management, props, costume, wigs & make-up) aged between 16 and 25 years old whose talent is nurtured and developed under the guidance of a team of experienced theatre professionals.

In Summer 2009 the company performed a new production of Sweeney Todd in the Weston Studio at the Wales Millennium Centre. Supported by mentors from WNO, the young company worked together to expand their vocal technique, musicianship and technical production skills in a creative and supportive environment.

WNYO is a long running and highly successful initiative, which continues to go from strength to strength. Past company members have gone on to perform principle musical theatre roles, represent Wales at BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition and join WNO’s associate artist scheme at the start of their professional careers.

"The Musicians Benevolent Fund is pleased to support WNYO, which helps many talented young performers, through the commissioning of work that we hope will challenge and inspire them."

Susan Dolton, Director of Communications and Awards, Musicians Benevolent Fund

Production Support
Recent production support has enabled WNO to stage a new production of Donizetti’s The Elixir Of Love, Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio and a revival of our award winning production of Tchaikovsky’s The Queen of Spades.

Bringing a production to the stage, new or revival, is always a large financial undertaking therefore we are enormously grateful to the Trusts and Foundations who provide us with this much valued support.

"Colwinston Charitable Trust is pleased to continue to support Welsh National Opera in its broadening of the repertoire, specifically through the production and tour of one of Mozart’s less frequently presented operas in 2010."

Amanda McMurray, Consultant Director for Colwinston Charitable Trust

Concert Parties
Concert Parties are an on-going series of intimate concerts in residential homes for the elderly, special schools, hospitals and hospices. These concerts take place throughout the year in cities in England and Wales while the company is on tour. It is our longest running activity.

Many people are unable to see WNO perform in theatres and concert halls for a variety of reasons. Through concert parties, we can bring the music and singing to them in a way that suits their needs.

"Bringing live music to the elderly not only brightens up their lives but also provides a therapeutic benefit to their health and well-being which has recently attracted increasingly serious scientific attention. The outreach work of WNO is of a particularly high standard and it is imperative that work of this calibre is available to the elderly in what tends to an under funded area of the United Kingdom."

Simon Baynes founder of the Concertina Charitable Trust

Transformative work in the South Wales Valleys and Cardiff Bay
WNO is resident in what was once a prime site in Cardiff’s old docklands, and is a short journey from the historic valleys communities. Both the Valleys and Cardiff Bay have undergone big changes in recent years, which inspired WNO to embark on an ambitious 3-year project, supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

The extensive programme of work has enabled WNO to further develop existing relationships within both communities. Through a range of projects designed for all ages we have drawn on personal stories and memories to create a contemporary approach to storytelling through music, which has helped the communities to regain their unique cultural heritage.

"The Paul Hamlyn Foundation is delighted to support WNO Max to deliver a programme of innovative and transformative work in the South Wales Valleys and Cardiff Bay which seeks to establish a new tradition of story-telling through music"

Régis Cochefert, Arts Programme Manager