WNO shrinks 2024-25 season amid ‘increasing financial challenges’

Welsh National Opera (WNO) has today announced that it will be pulling two weeks from its 2024-25 season due to ‘increasing financial challenges’. Originally announced in February, the season programme featured performances Cardiff, Bristol and Llandudno which will no longer be taking place.

A press release published by WNO today confirmed that ‘the decision has been taken due to the challenging economic times facing all sectors, as well as substantial reductions in WNO’s public funding’. In Arts Council England’s recent funding announcements, it confirmed that WNO would receive a 35% (£2.2m) reduction in its funding from ACE, and an 11.8% reduction in its funding from ACW for 2024-25 (against its £4.5m application). 

WNO interim general director Christopher Barron said: ‘Our new financial situation means that we have the challenge of balancing a reduced budget whilst maintaining artistic standards in providing a stimulating programme of performance and engagement activities. This means taking decisions that are difficult but, in the circumstances, unavoidable. These have been carefully considered and have been discussed with both our venues and the Arts Councils.’

Planned tours to The Bristol Hippodrome in February 2025, and Venue Cymru, Llandudno in May 2025 have been cancelled, with performances of Rigoletto and The Marriage of Figaro no longer taking place. A performance of Rigoletto in Cardiff in February 2025 will also not go ahead as planned. 

Tour cancellations will also affect performances of of Peter Grimes and Play Opera LIVE, WNO's interactive, educational family show introducing young audiences to opera and classical music. However, WNO assures audiences that the season changes will have ‘no impact’ on WNO’s planned visit to Venue Cymru in the Autumn or on its Autumn performances of Rigoletto. Venues will be in touch with ticket holders to arrange exchanges or refunds.

Barron added: ‘WNO represents Wales on a local, national and international level as well as creating and delivering projects that have a positive impact in communities. We are committed to continuing to deliver this work and ensuring our long-term future as Wales’s national opera company.’