Welsh National Opera returns to Bay

Welsh National Opera returns for the final year of its three year residency and, as part of the wider Torbay Festival of Song, will be hosting a selection of spectacular concerts and family events priced only at £10 for adults and £5 for children.

The 2015 programme includes concerts at Princess Theatre and the Riviera International Conference Centre (RICC) and Torre Abbey and The Spanish Barn.

Welsh National Opera Chorus in Concert
Riviera International Centre, Torquay
Friday 26 June 7.30pm
This year you have the chance to hear the WNO’s award-winning Chorus in concert, you can experience some of the greatest opera and choral music moments performed by one of Wales’ finest ensemble. This 40 strong chorus has recently been awarded Chorus of the Year 2015 at the International Opera Awards.

In the first half, lose yourself in sublime, soaring music by Brahms and Schubert. After the interval, feel the power and passion of opera with highlights from much-loved operas including Il trovatore, Cavalleria rusticana and William Tell. Join us for a summer’s evening filled with exceptional music and performances.

Welsh National Opera Orchestra Spellbound Concert
Princess Theatre, Torquay
Friday 3 July at 7.30pm
This production is a celebration of magical opera moments, spellbinding classical pieces and music you will instantly recognise from favourite family movies, both old and new.
Including Saint-Saëns' Danse Macabre and moments from Mozart’s The Magic Flute, performed alongside Dukas' The Sorcerer's Apprentice and John Williams’ Hedwig’s Theme from the Harry Potter films, in a night that will capture your senses. Nothing compares to hearing this music performed by a live orchestra, so don’t miss this chance and join us for the full experience – book now!

Welsh National Opera Family Day
Torre Abbey Historic House and Gardens, Torquay
Saturday 4 July 12 – 5pm
Following the success of last year’s Family Day, WNO again bring a mixture of workshops, demonstrations and a final concert to the historic rooms and impressive surroundings of Torre Abbey for an eye-opening summer’s afternoon for all the family.

Take your time and decide what you’d like to enjoy next. You can wander at will from fun-filled singing workshops to fascinating instrument demonstrations given by members of the Orchestra and even take part yourself. Why not enjoy up-close performances by individuals and ensembles offering a taste of different sections of the orchestra. Lose yourself in the different sounds and atmospheres each space offers, before heading to the Spanish Barn for a concert by WNO Chamber Orchestra and WNO Wind Ensemble.

Spanish Barn Concert at 3pm
Unwind as the WNO Wind Ensemble plays Dvořák's Wind Serenade before the WNO Chamber Orchestra performs Mozart's stirring Symphony No 40.

This is also your chance to witness a choir of local children, who have been working with members of WNO’s Youth and Community team, take to the stage to sing the final Children's Chorus from Hansel and Gretel with the WNO Orchestra.

Torbay Council’s Executive Lead for Tourism, Culture and Harbours, said: “It’s very exciting to once again welcome the internationally celebrated WNO to Torbay for the third year of their residency. Torbay has been developing very high standards for culture and the arts over recent years, so this is another success story for our cultural programme. We really hope our people take advantage of these great performances.

WNO Chorus Master Alexander Martin, said: "Following a year of significant achievement, we are very much looking forward to offering audiences a chance to hear the WNO Chorus in another guise during their summer tour. With some marvellous secular concert works by Schubert and Brahms, allied to some of the best loved opera choruses, these concerts will offer something for newcomers and connoisseurs alike."