Welsh National Opera marks 75th anniversary with new poem

To mark its 75th anniversary, the Welsh National Opera (WNO) has commissioned a poem from the National Poet of Wales, Ifor ap Glyn. 

Intermezzo reflects on the company's beginnings and on the current situation faced by all arts organisations. 

Two versions – one in Welsh, and one in English – of the poem have been written, recorded and released as films.

Welsh voices featured include opera singer Sir Bryn Terfel, rugby legend Sir Gareth Edwards, Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson, harpist Catrin Finch, singer/songwriter Caryl Parry Jones, opera singer Rebecca Evans, Welsh folk singer Dafydd Iwan, Welsh actors Dame Siân Phillips, Mark Lewis Jones and Rakie Ayola. The film recording of the poem will be released today (15 April) on WNO’s website and social media feeds.

WNO general director Aidan Lang said: 'We are delighted to share Intermezzo on the occasion of our 75th birthday and offer our heartfelt thanks to Wales’ National Poet Ifor ap Glyn for encapsulating WNO’s story in such a fitting way.'

For more information, visit wno.org.uk.

Watch a reading of the poem below.