Listen to Welsh National Opera Orchestra, watch music videos, read bio, see tour dates & more!

Classical

Wales

Welsh National Opera Orchestra

Top Songs By Welsh National Opera Orchestra

Norma: "Deh! proteggimi, o Dio!"Montserrat Caballé, Richard Bonynge & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

Listen to "Pie Jesu" from Requiem by Charlotte Church, Welsh National Opera Orchestra & Sian Edwards, see lyrics, music video & more!

"Pie Jesu" from RequiemCharlotte Church, Welsh National Opera Orchestra & Sian Edwards

Listen to Les Pêcheurs de Perles, Act 1: "Au Fond du Temple Saint" [Nadir, Zurga] - Excerpt by Carlo Rizzi, Jerry Hadley, Welsh National Opera Orchestra & Thomas Hampson, see lyrics, music video & more!

Les Pêcheurs de Perles, Act 1: "Au Fond du Temple Saint" [Nadir, Zurga] - ExcerptCarlo Rizzi, Jerry Hadley, Welsh National Opera Orchestra & Thomas Hampson

Listen to Norma: "Casta Diva" by Dame Joan Sutherland, Richard Bonynge, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Samuel Ramey & Chorus of the Welsh National Opera, see lyrics, music video & more!

Norma: "Casta Diva"Dame Joan Sutherland, Richard Bonynge, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Samuel Ramey & Chorus of the Welsh National Opera

Listen to Ave Maria In a Minor by Charlotte Church, Sian Edwards & Welsh National Opera Orchestra, see lyrics, music video & more!

Ave Maria In a MinorCharlotte Church, Sian Edwards & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

Listen to Norma, Act 1: Va, crudele, al Dio spietato by Montserrat Caballé, Luciano Pavarotti, Welsh National Opera Orchestra & Richard Bonynge, see lyrics, music video & more!

Norma, Act 1: Va, crudele, al Dio spietatoMontserrat Caballé, Luciano Pavarotti, Welsh National Opera Orchestra & Richard Bonynge

Listen to A Village Romeo and Juliet, Scene 5: The Walk to the Paradise Garden by Welsh National Opera Orchestra & Sir Charles Mackerras, see lyrics, music video & more!

A Village Romeo and Juliet, Scene 5: The Walk to the Paradise GardenWelsh National Opera Orchestra & Sir Charles Mackerras

Listen to Panis Angelicus by Charlotte Church, Sian Edwards, Graham Jackson, Welsh National Opera Orchestra & Chorus of Welsh National Opera, see lyrics, music video & more!

Panis AngelicusCharlotte Church, Sian Edwards, Graham Jackson, Welsh National Opera Orchestra & Chorus of Welsh National Opera

Listen to Rigoletto, Act 3: "La Donna è Mobile" [Duca] by Carlo Rizzi, Welsh National Opera Orchestra & Richard Leech, see lyrics, music video & more!

Rigoletto, Act 3: "La Donna è Mobile" [Duca]Carlo Rizzi, Welsh National Opera Orchestra & Richard Leech

Listen to Danny Boy by Charlotte Church, Sian Edwards & Welsh National Opera Orchestra, see lyrics, music video & more!

Danny BoyCharlotte Church, Sian Edwards & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

Latest Release

Listen to Puccini Symphonic Suites: In New Editions by Carlo Rizzi by Carlo Rizzi & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

ALBUMPuccini Symphonic Suites: In New Editions by Carlo RizziCarlo Rizzi & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

More albums from Welsh National Opera Orchestra

Listen to MacMillan, J.: The Sacrifice by Christopher Purves, Rosie Hay, Leigh Melrose, Samantha Hay, Amanda Baldwin, Tomos Hardy, Sarah Tynan, Peter Hoare, Cameron Jones, Anthony Negus, Welsh National Opera Chorus, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Lisa Milne & Ben Evans

ALBUMMacMillan, J.: The SacrificeChristopher Purves, Rosie Hay, Leigh Melrose, Samantha Hay, Amanda Baldwin, Tomos Hardy, Sarah Tynan, Peter Hoare, Cameron Jones, Anthony Negus, Welsh National Opera Chorus, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Lisa Milne & Ben Evans

Listen to Renée & Bryn - Under the Stars by Renée Fleming, Bryn Terfel, Welsh National Opera Orchestra & Paul Gemignani

ALBUMRenée & Bryn - Under the StarsRenée Fleming, Bryn Terfel, Welsh National Opera Orchestra & Paul Gemignani

Listen to Bryn Terfel: We'll Keep a Welcome by Bryn Terfel, Gareth Jones & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

ALBUMBryn Terfel: We'll Keep a WelcomeBryn Terfel, Gareth Jones & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

Listen to Bel Canto - Marcelo Álvarez, Tenor by Marcelo Álvarez & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

ALBUMBel Canto - Marcelo Álvarez, TenorMarcelo Álvarez & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

Listen to Saint-Saëns, Berlioz, Rossini: Arias for Mezzo-Soprano by Olga Borodina, Welsh National Opera Orchestra & Carlo Rizzi

ALBUMSaint-Saëns, Berlioz, Rossini: Arias for Mezzo-SopranoOlga Borodina, Welsh National Opera Orchestra & Carlo Rizzi

Listen to Gilbert & Sullivan: The Yeomen of the Guard & Trial by Jury by Sir Charles Mackerras, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Welsh National Opera Chorus, Alwyn Mellor, Neil Archer, Richard Stuart, Felicity Palmer, Donald Adams, Donald Maxwell & Rebecca Evans

ALBUMGilbert & Sullivan: The Yeomen of the Guard & Trial by JurySir Charles Mackerras, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Welsh National Opera Chorus, Alwyn Mellor, Neil Archer, Richard Stuart, Felicity Palmer, Donald Adams, Donald Maxwell & Rebecca Evans

Listen to The Incomparable Alfredo Kraus by Alfredo Kraus, Welsh National Opera Orchestra & Carlo Rizzi

ALBUMThe Incomparable Alfredo KrausAlfredo Kraus, Welsh National Opera Orchestra & Carlo Rizzi

Listen to Gilbert & Sullivan: H.M.S. Pinafore by Welsh National Opera Chorus, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras, Richard Stuart, Sir Thomas Allen, Michael Schade, Rebecca Evans, Felicity Palmer, Donald Adams & Richard Van Allan

ALBUMGilbert & Sullivan: H.M.S. PinaforeWelsh National Opera Chorus, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras, Richard Stuart, Sir Thomas Allen, Michael Schade, Rebecca Evans, Felicity Palmer, Donald Adams & Richard Van Allan

Listen to Verdi: Rigoletto by Alastair Miles, Alexandru Agache, Barry Banks, Carlo Rizzi, Chorus of Welsh National Opera, Fabrizio Visentin, Geoffrey Moses, Jennifer Larmore, Leontina Vaduva, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Patricia Bardon, Paula Bradbury, Peter Sidhom, Rebecca Evans, Richard Leech & Samuel Ramey

ALBUMVerdi: RigolettoAlastair Miles, Alexandru Agache, Barry Banks, Carlo Rizzi, Chorus of Welsh National Opera, Fabrizio Visentin, Geoffrey Moses, Jennifer Larmore, Leontina Vaduva, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Patricia Bardon, Paula Bradbury, Peter Sidhom, Rebecca Evans, Richard Leech & Samuel Ramey

Listen to Verdi: Rigoletto [Highlights] by Carlo Rizzi, Chorus of Welsh National Opera, Leontina Vaduva & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

ALBUMVerdi: Rigoletto [Highlights]Carlo Rizzi, Chorus of Welsh National Opera, Leontina Vaduva & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

Listen to Gounod : Faust by Carlo Rizzi, Cecilia Gasdia, Samuel Ramey & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

ALBUMGounod : FaustCarlo Rizzi, Cecilia Gasdia, Samuel Ramey & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

Listen to Gounod: Faust by Alexandru Agache, Brigitte Fassbaender, Carlo Rizzi, Cecilia Gasdia, Chorus of Welsh National Opera, Jerry Hadley, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Samuel Ramey & Susanne Mentzer

ALBUMGounod: FaustAlexandru Agache, Brigitte Fassbaender, Carlo Rizzi, Cecilia Gasdia, Chorus of Welsh National Opera, Jerry Hadley, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Samuel Ramey & Susanne Mentzer

Listen to Gilbert & Sullivan: The Pirates of Penzance by Sir Charles Mackerras, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Welsh National Opera Chorus, Richard Stuart, John Mark Ainsley, Donald Adams, Gillian Knight, Rebecca Evans, Julie Gossage & Richard Van Allan

ALBUMGilbert & Sullivan: The Pirates of PenzanceSir Charles Mackerras, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Welsh National Opera Chorus, Richard Stuart, John Mark Ainsley, Donald Adams, Gillian Knight, Rebecca Evans, Julie Gossage & Richard Van Allan

Listen to Britten: Gloriana by Josephine Barstow, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras, Philip Langridge, Alan Opie, Yvonne Kenny, Della Jones, Jonathan Summers & Chorus of the Welsh National Opera

ALBUMBritten: GlorianaJosephine Barstow, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras, Philip Langridge, Alan Opie, Yvonne Kenny, Della Jones, Jonathan Summers & Chorus of the Welsh National Opera

Listen to Messager: Les Deux Pigeons by Welsh National Opera Orchestra & Richard Bonynge

ALBUMMessager: Les Deux PigeonsWelsh National Opera Orchestra & Richard Bonynge

Listen to Elgar: The Wand Of Youth Suites; Songs From The Starlight Express; Dream Children by Sir Charles Mackerras, Alison Hagley, Bryn Terfel & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

ALBUMElgar: The Wand Of Youth Suites; Songs From The Starlight Express; Dream ChildrenSir Charles Mackerras, Alison Hagley, Bryn Terfel & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

Listen to Delius: Violin Concerto; Dance Rhapsodies Nos. 1 & 2; Summer Night On The River etc by Sir Charles Mackerras, Tasmin Little & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

ALBUMDelius: Violin Concerto; Dance Rhapsodies Nos. 1 & 2; Summer Night On The River etcSir Charles Mackerras, Tasmin Little & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

Listen to Gilbert & Sullivan: The Mikado by Sir Charles Mackerras, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Welsh National Opera Chorus, Nicholas Folwell, Richard Stuart, Donald Adams, Richard Van Allan, Anne Howells, Marie McLaughlin & Anthony Rolfe Johnson

ALBUMGilbert & Sullivan: The MikadoSir Charles Mackerras, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Welsh National Opera Chorus, Nicholas Folwell, Richard Stuart, Donald Adams, Richard Van Allan, Anne Howells, Marie McLaughlin & Anthony Rolfe Johnson

Listen to Delius: Sea Drift; Florida Suite by Sir Charles Mackerras, Thomas Hampson & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

ALBUMDelius: Sea Drift; Florida SuiteSir Charles Mackerras, Thomas Hampson & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

Listen to Bel canto by Marcelo Álvarez, Carlo Rizzi & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

ALBUMBel cantoMarcelo Álvarez, Carlo Rizzi & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

Listen to Coleridge-Taylor: Hiawatha by Chorus of Welsh National Opera, Kenneth Alwyn & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

ALBUMColeridge-Taylor: HiawathaChorus of Welsh National Opera, Kenneth Alwyn & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

Listen to The Artistry of Fernando de la Mora by Fernando De La Mora, Sir Charles Mackerras & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

ALBUMThe Artistry of Fernando de la MoraFernando De La Mora, Sir Charles Mackerras & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

Listen to George Lloyd: The Vigil Of Venus (Pervigilium Veneris) by George Lloyd, Chorus of the Welsh National Opera & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

ALBUMGeorge Lloyd: The Vigil Of Venus (Pervigilium Veneris)George Lloyd, Chorus of the Welsh National Opera & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

Listen to Delius: Orchestral Works by Welsh National Opera Orchestra & Sir Charles Mackerras

ALBUMDelius: Orchestral WorksWelsh National Opera Orchestra & Sir Charles Mackerras

Listen to Bellini: Norma by Dame Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, Samuel Ramey, Montserrat Caballé, Chorus of the Welsh National Opera, Welsh National Opera Orchestra & Richard Bonynge

ALBUMBellini: NormaDame Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, Samuel Ramey, Montserrat Caballé, Chorus of the Welsh National Opera, Welsh National Opera Orchestra & Richard Bonynge

Listen to Bellini: Norma by Dame Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, Montserrat Caballé, Richard Bonynge, Samuel Ramey & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

ALBUMBellini: NormaDame Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, Montserrat Caballé, Richard Bonynge, Samuel Ramey & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

Listen to Thomas: Hamlet by Richard Bonynge, Chorus of the Welsh National Opera, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Sherrill Milnes & Dame Joan Sutherland

ALBUMThomas: HamletRichard Bonynge, Chorus of the Welsh National Opera, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Sherrill Milnes & Dame Joan Sutherland

Listen to Wagner: Tristan und Isolde by Reginald Goodall, Linda Esther Gray, John Mitchinson, Anne Wilkens, Phillip Joll, Gwynne Howell, Chorus of the Welsh National Opera & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

ALBUMWagner: Tristan und IsoldeReginald Goodall, Linda Esther Gray, John Mitchinson, Anne Wilkens, Phillip Joll, Gwynne Howell, Chorus of the Welsh National Opera & Welsh National Opera Orchestra

About Welsh National Opera Orchestra

Hometown

Cardiff, Wales

Born

1973

Genre

Classical

The Welsh National Opera Orchestra maintains a busy schedule outside of its function as an opera house orchestra. The beginnings of the Welsh National Opera Orchestra date to 1946, when the modern Welsh National Opera was formed in the city of Cardiff. The group took its present name in 1978; it has also been known as the Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera. An early digital release was a 1997 recording of highlights from Verdi's Un ballo in maschera. The orchestra on that album was conducted by Carlo Rizzi, one of the Welsh National Opera conductors who have also directed the orchestra. Tomáš Hanus became music director in 2016 and remained in that position as of the mid-2020s. The orchestra has appeared on several albums of vocal and instrumental music, and in 2024, Rizzi returned for the album Puccini: Symphonic Suites Imagined by Carlo Rizzi.