Meet WNO
Each of the 230 people who form Welsh National Opera do what we do because we love opera. We want to share its unique power with as many people as possible, and our rich mix of skills and expertise – both on-stage and off – makes great performances happen.
Leadership Team
Led by Artistic Director David Pountney, one of the world’s most influential opera directors, and Managing Director Leonora Thomson, WNO also has a proud history of working with many of the artform’s most esteemed music directors; a tradition which continues to this day. Music Director Tomáš Hanus, who joined us in August 2016, works alongside Conductor Laureate Carlo Rizzi.
WNO employs artists, craftspeople, technicians and administrators – all based at our state-of-the-art home, Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff. At the heart of WNO sit our two full-time ensembles, the 40-strong WNO Chorus and the WNO Orchestra of 55 world-class musicians.
Staff Team
In the theatres, our choristers, orchestra players, music staff, technicians and directors make the show happen. Behind the scenes costume and prop makers, and set builders realise designs to create what you see on stage. All of this work is supported by a team of administrators who make sure we can do what we do on stage.
We’re all passionate about opera because we’ve all experienced its unique power. There’s nothing else like it.
Administration
- Jacquie OwenPA to Managing Director / Board Administratorjacquie.owen@wno.org.uk
- Sharon HuntReceptionistsharon.hunt@wno.org.uk
Artistic Administration
The artistic administration department’s core role is to develop and co-ordinate the Company’s artistic plans in close collaboration with the Artistic Director and Music Director. It manages the casting and contracting of all guest artists (singers, dancers, actors, conductors, directors and designers) and keeps in close touch with the work of other opera companies, music colleges and artist training programmes.
- Kathryn JoyceHead of Artistic Managementkathryn.joyce@wno.org.uk
- Amy BatteCasting Assistant and Auditions Co-ordinatorcastingassistant@wno.org.uk
- Lisa TurnerCasting Assistant and Auditions Co-ordinatorcastingassistant@wno.org.uk
- Elspeth HardingCasting Assistant & Auditions Co-ordinatorcastingassistant@wno.org.uk
- Llinos BeasleyHead of Artistic Planningllinos.beasley@wno.org.uk
- Caroline ChaneyStaff Director
- Ian DouglasCompany Managerian.douglas@wno.org.uk
- Sarah Cannon-JonesDeputy Company Managersarah.cannon-jones@wno.org.uk
- Isobel CravenArtistic Planning Officerisobel.craven@wno.org.uk
- Elin JonesNicholas John Dramaturgelin.jones@wno.org.uk
Chorus, Orchestra & Music Management
Our department looks after all of the full-time musicians who work for WNO, working around the clock to support the musical output of the Company. From the intricate detail of the work in the Music Library, to our multi-talented Music Staff conducting and accompanying hundreds of rehearsals per year - not to mention the integral work of our world-class Chorus and Orchestra in a wide variety of operatic, concert and outreach work – music is at the core of everything we do.
- Rebecca DonkinChorus Managerrebecca.donkin@wno.org.uk
- Matthew DownesOrchestra and Concerts Managermatthew.downes@wno.org.uk
- Daniel Aguirre Evans Assistant Orchestra and Concerts Managerdaniel.aguirreevans@wno.org.uk
- Catherine PorteusMusic Department Administrator and Personal Assistantcatherine.porteus@wno.org.uk
- Russell MoretonHead of Music and Casting Advisorrussell.moreton@wno.org.uk
- David AdamsLeader of the Orchestra
- Lowri PorterAssistant Leader
- Frederick BrownMusic Staff
- David DoidgeMusic Staffdavid.doidge@wno.org.uk
- James SouthallMusic Staffjames.southall@wno.org.uk
- Stephen WoodMusic Staffstephen.wood@wno.org.uk
- Hywel ap Ian EvansMusic Operations Managerhywel.evans@wno.org.uk
- Andrew GreenwoodChorus Master
- Michael Clifton-ThompsonAssistant to Chorus Manager
- Peter LilleyAssistant to Orchestra Manager
- Georgina GovierHead of Music Librarygeorgina.govier@wno.org.uk
- Craig ThorpeMusic Librariancraig.thorpe@wno.org.uk
- Catherine Duffy Assistant Music Librarianmusic.library@wno.org.uk
Development and Communications
The Development and Communications team looks after fundraising, press and public affairs. We work to raise essential private sector funds for the Company through a generous network of individuals, trusts, foundations and businesses; we raise the Company’s profile by generating media coverage for our work and we build relationships with stakeholders and partners including the Welsh Government, the UK Government, the Arts Councils of both England and Wales and other key influencers.
- Sara EvansHead of Eventssara.evans@wno.org.uk
- John WardDevelopment Advisorjohn.ward@wno.org.uk
- Becky WrightSenior Development Managerbecky.wright@wno.org.uk
- Andrew TaylorDevelopment and Communications Operations Managerandrew.taylor@wno.org.uk
- Bryony LewisCorporate Partnerships Consultant
- Sally Ann BirdIndividual Giving Officersally.bird@wno.org.uk
- Lorraine ReesMembership Officer lorraine.rees@wno.org.uk
- Corinne CoxTrusts and Foundations Officercorinne.cox@wno.org.uk
- Lizzie SmithDevelopment and Communications Officerlizzie.smith@wno.org.uk
- Merlin GableIndividual Giving Co-ordinator merlin.gable@wno.org.uk
- Laura EastwoodCorporate Development Co-ordinator laura.eastwood@wno.org.uk
- Rachel Bowyer Press and Public Affairs Managerrachel.bowyer@wno.org.uk
- Penny JamesPress Manager penny.james@wno.org.uk
- Branwen JonesPress Managerbranwen.jones@wno.org.uk
- Christina BlakemanPress Officerchristina.blakeman@wno.org.uk
- Elinor LloydDevelopment and Communications Assistantelinor.lloyd@wno.org.uk
Finance
The finance team assists in the smooth running of the organisation by managing all the money that flows into and out of the organisation, including payroll. It produces the management accounts, budgets and forecasts as well as the annual statutory accounts, and ensures that financial controls are in place, fit for purpose and meet the needs of the organisation and its regulators.
- David WatkinsFinance Managerdavid.watkins@wno.org.uk
- Christopher ParsonsProject Accountantchristopher.parsons@wno.org.uk
- Valerie WatkinsPayroll Managervalerie.watkins@wno.org.uk
Human Resources
- Louise Halliday-JonesHR Managerlouise.halliday-jones@wno.org.uk
- Hang BarryHR Advisorhang.barry@wno.org.uk
Marketing
The marketing department works to reach new audiences for our work as well as keeping our existing audiences engaged. We do this through our website and other digital communications, social media, advertising, direct marketing and much more. We undertake audience research projects and data analysis to help us better understand our audiences. We also produce all print and publications for WNO including programmes.
- Martina FraserHead of Marketingmartina.fraser@wno.org.uk
- Susannah Atherton-JohnHead of Print, Design and Brand susannah.atherton-john@wno.org.uk
- Sue EvansMarketing Managersue.evans@wno.org.uk
- Owain Elidir Audience Insight Officerowain.elidir@wno.org.uk
- Kirstin ChapmanMarketing Campaigns Officerkirstin.chapman@wno.org.uk
- Carys DaviesDigital Marketing Officercarys.davies@wno.org.uk
- Ella MorganDigital Content Officerella.morgan@wno.org.uk
Technical
The technical department looks after the creation and touring of WNO’s productions. This includes set, costume, wigs and make-up, props, lighting, transport and stage management departments. Our CTS workshops are an integral part of the operation and WNO’s trading arm; it also looks after storage and disposal of productions and show hire contract management. Departmental email address: technical@wno.org.uk
- Ruth Lepper Technical Office Administrator ruth.lepper@wno.org.uk
- Robert PagettHead of Productionbob.pagett@wno.org.uk
- David FlinnTechnical Manager david.flinn@wno.org.uk
- Richard NortonProduction Managerrichard.norton@wno.org.uk
- Megan Sinnett Assistant Production Manager
- Liz WalkerHealth and Safety Supervisorliz.walker@wno.org.uk
- Rebecca WilksTechnical Office Assistantrebecca.wilks@wno.org.uk
- Siân PriceHead of Costumesian.price@wno.org.uk
- Jane WilliamsMen's Cuttercostume@wno.org.uk
- Denise HeywoodLadies Cuttercostume@wno.org.uk
- Sue CrowleMillinersue.crowle@wno.org.uk
- Sadie HighgateMilliner
- Veronica PeterssonHead Tailorveronica.petersson@wno.org.uk
- Clementine GreeleySenior Costume Maker
- Callan MatthewsCostume Maker
- Katie EvansCostume Maker
- Victoria QuelchCostume Maker
- Eleanor BirdCostume Maker (Men's)
- Andy JohnHead of Props andy.john@wno.org.uk
- Barbara LeithProp Technicianbarbara.leith@wno.org.uk
- Torben Schacht Prop Techniciantorben.schacht@wno.org.uk
- Ian JonesHead of Lighting & Soundian.jones@wno.org.uk
- Paul WoodfieldChief Electricianpaul.woodfield@wno.org.uk
- Benjamin NaylorDeputy Chief Electricianben.naylor@wno.org.uk
- Owain DaviesElectricianowain.davies@wno.org.uk
- Simon ThomasElectriciansimon.thomas@wno.org.uk
- Adam SansomElectricianadam.sansom@wno.org.uk
- Ryan Van DeldenTouring Stage Electrician
- Dom CookTouring Stage Electrician
- Tom North-DaviesTouring Stage Electrician
- Julia Carson SimsHead of Stage Management julia_carson.sims@wno.org.uk
- Katie Heath-Jones Stage Managerkatie.jones@wno.org.uk
- Jenni PriceStage Managerjenni.price@wno.org.uk
- Suzie ErithDeputy Stage Managersuzie.erith@wno.org.uk
- Sava BellDeputy Stage Managersava.bell@wno.org.uk
- Amy BattyAssistant Stage Manager
- Annabel BoardAssistant Stage Manager
- Daniel HamptonAssistant Stage Manager
- Archie MacleodAssistant Stage Manager
- Aisling RentonAssistant Stage Manager
- John HayelMaster Carpenter
- Constandinous MicallefDeputy Master Carpenter
- Robert BallAssistant Master Carpenter
- John StewartAssistant Master Carpenter
- John RiemerHead Flyman
- Chris MacauleyProperty Master
- Robert AndrewsSenior Flyman
- Robert BaylissFlyman
- Stephen BellamySenior Wingman
- Marshala HayelSenior Wingman
- Steve HarrisWingman
- Dean Marshall Wingman
- Jade HawkinsAssistant Wingman
- Michael LloydAssistant Wingman
- Liam FishAssistant Wingman
- Leon MacauleyAssistant Wingman
- Mark EdwardsLoader
- Anthony CoxLoaderanthony.cox@wno.org.uk
- Joshua BlenmanTouring Stage Technician
- Wayne Shaw Touring Stage Technician
- Michael SymonsTouring Stage Technician
- John Sherrard Touring Stage Technician
- Aden HassanTouring Stage Technician
- Peter AndrewsTouring Stage Technician
- Colin DerrickTouring Stage Technician
- Paul CapleTouring Stage Technician
- Joshua Purnell JonesTouring Stage Technician
- Andy RotheryTouring Stage Technician
- Neil DezellTouring Stage Technician
- Ellie-May JonesTouring Stage Technician
- Olivia NicholsonTouring Stage Technician
- Michael PurseDriver
- Daniel SammonsLGV Driver
- John Birch-HurstTechnical Office Driverjohn.birch-hurst@wno.org.uk
- Judith RussellTouring Wardrobe Managerjudith.russell@wno.org.uk
- Bethan Kelly Touring Wardrobe Assistant
- Stevie Haynes-GouldTouring Wardrobe Assistant
- Meryl HerbertTouring Wardrobe Assistant
- Jo PerrymanTouring Wardrobe Assistant
- Siân McCabeHead of Wigs & Make-upsian.mccabe@wno.org.uk
- Tigy TuckerDeputy Head of Wigs & Make-uptigy.tucker@wno.org.uk
- Bethan JonesWigs & Make-up Assistant
- Leanne WrightWigs & Make-up Assistant
- Jenny CaseyChaperone
- Chris CrispinChaperone
- Nicola Jones-GarlandChaperone
Youth and Community
Youth and Community deliver a diverse portfolio of multi-award winning work. Their wide-reaching programme includes pioneering digital experiences, orchestral concerts for schools and families, multiple established Youth Opera companies, and weekly activity in schools and SEN schools - all designed to spark the imagination and engage more people with opera across Wales, England and beyond.
- Ruth EvansProducerruth.evans@wno.org.uk
- Jennifer HillProducerjennifer.hill@wno.org.uk
- Imogen LlewellynProducer imogen.llewellyn@wno.org.uk
- Sandra TaylorProducersandra.taylor@wno.org.uk
- Paula ScottProducerpaula.scott@wno.org.uk
- David MasseyDigital Producerdavid.massey@wno.org.uk
- Rebeka PeakeSchools Co-ordinatorrebeka.peake@wno.org.uk
- Stephanie JenkinsProject Assistantstephanie.jenkins@wno.org.uk
- April HeadeAdministrator & PAapril.heade@wno.org.uk
- Morgana Warren-JonesNorth Wales Co-ordinatormorgana.wj@wno.org.uk
WNO Chorus
We are 40 full-time professional opera singers who, along with the WNO Orchestra, form the musical and artistic backbone of Welsh National Opera.
WNO Orchestra
With a reputation as one of the finest orchestras in the UK, we are one of two permanent, full-time ensembles at the heart of Welsh National Opera, alongside the WNO Chorus.
WNO Chorus
We are 40 full-time professional opera singers who, along with the WNO Orchestra, form the musical and artistic backbone of one of the few large-scale opera companies in the UK. We play a significant role in the vast majority of WNO operatic performances, as well as other events throughout the year. From bohemians to bakers, duchesses to drunks, we play them all!
While we have a number of singers from other countries in our ranks, we are unmistakably and proudly a Welsh Chorus. When you come to a Welsh National Opera event – whether at home here in Wales Millennium Centre or on tour across England and Wales – you’ll experience a unique, live acoustic event which is never the same twice. We give our all every time we go on stage, singing as though our lives depend on it.
Sopranos
Mezzos
Sian Meinir
Mezzo
Francesca Saracino
Mezzo
Sophie Yelland
MezzoHelen Greenaway, Mezzo SopranoIt's good to be a member of a company with an international reputation but which also has a family feel.
Tenors
Basses
WNO Orchestra
WNO Orchestra has been delighting audiences, both nationally and internationally, for nearly 50 years. We are proud of being more than just an opera orchestra, and we love the variety of work we get to perform - from large-scale orchestral concerts at St David’s Hall with our Music Director, to chamber music without conductors - in venues and festivals across Wales, the UK and abroad.
We are passionate about the future of our artform, and are energised by working with young musicians and singers from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, the National Opera Studio, the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.
First Violin
Amanda Lake
Principal No.3 First Violin
Vacancy
No.5 First ViolinSusan Plessner
Rank & File First Violin
Emma Menzies
Rank & File First Violin
Vacancy
Rank & File First ViolinSecond Violin
Vacancy
Section Principal Second Violin
Ann Jones
No.3 Second ViolinDonald McNaught
Rank & File Second ViolinMarilyn Shewring
Rank & File Second Violin
Viola
Stephen Lloyd
Rank & File Viola
Vacancy
Rank & File ViolaCello
Vacancy
Sub-Principal Cello
Arthur Davies
Rank & File Cello
Double Bass
Vacancy
Rank & File Double BassWoodwind
Hannah Morgan
Sub-Principal Clarinet
Brass
Vacancy
Sub-Principal Horn
Timpani
Harp
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors collectively oversees the Company's affairs, while meeting the appropriate interests of our stakeholders. Additional support comes from our Advisory Board.
