Sir Charles Mackerras, WNO's Conductor Emeritus and former Music Director (1987 - 92), returns to the company to conduct this concert performance of Mozart's Italian opera seria (drama opera).

Mitridate, rè di Ponto (Mitridates, King of Pontus), was commissioned for Carnival 1771. He was just 14 when he wrote this three-act opera but those who pre-judged his work harshly because of his youth were silenced by the first performance.

Mitridate tells a serious story yet is full of musical vigour and charm. There are many beautiful surprises in this richly varied music, with heartbreaking arias as well as glittering orchestration and florid vocal lines. Reminiscent of the ornate operas of the baroque, in its finest moments, Mitridate also foreshadows Mozart's later operatic masterpieces.

Mitridate, the King of Pontus who long defended his empire against the Romans, and his son Farnace are real historical characters, but the plot - in which loyalties are tested in love and in war - is fiction.

In Welsh National Opera's concert performance the music will speak for itself - freeing your imagination to be suggestible to the power and passion of the work.

Performed at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff on Tuesday 2 June 2009 at 7pm.

Birmimgham Hippodrome: Wednesday 27 May at 7pm. To book tickets click here.

NOW'S THE TIME! - Becoming a Subscriber is a great way to plan your year of opera-going ahead.

Cardiff Subscription Series 2008/2009 booking is now open by post only using a Subscription brochure. To request a brochure please click here (and state that you would like to receive a Cardiff Subscription brochure). Public individual opera booking opens on 1 May (online only) and 16 May (phone and counter sales).

Birmingham Subscription Series 2008/2009 booking opens on 10 March by post only using a Subscription brochure. To request a brochure please click here and state that you would like to received a Birmingham Subscription brochre. Public individual opera booking opens on 2 June (online only) and 16 June (Phone and counter sales).