Work for us
Welsh National Opera exists to bring the power, drama and raw emotion of opera to as wide an audience as possible in performances marked by an uncompromising quest for artistic quality. As a national company with international status, we sit at the heart of music-making in Wales and play a valuable role in the communities we serve in England.
Welsh National Opera is based at Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay. Cardiff combines ancient history, sporting excitement, ultra-modern development, eclectic culture and activities. It is a friendly, diverse and exciting capital city, just two hours by train from London.
Welsh National Opera is an Equal Opportunities Employer and a Registered Charity.
Current vacancies
Welsh National Opera transforms lives through the power of opera. We are passionate about opera and want to share this passion with as many people as possible. We do this with award winning performances of fully staged opera and concerts which combine a sense of adventure with the highest possible quality. We keep our performances accessible through affordable ticket prices. Beyond the theatre we connect with people through our community and education work and digital projects.
If you would like to join the team, all vacancies, including Orchestra positions, will be advertised here. If you are a singer and wish to audition, please visit our Auditions page.
Please submit a CV and a Cover form to recruitment@wno.org.uk
Welsh National Opera is an Equal Opportunities Employer and a Registered Charity. We encourage people from any background to apply for vacancies. We are committed to creating a workforce which is representative of society and brings together people with a variety of skills and experiences to help shape what we do and how we work. We are particularly keen to hear from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and disabled candidates.
Late applications will not be accepted.
Auditions
Welsh National Opera auditions for principal roles and covers on an invitation-only basis. If you wish to be considered please contact audition.enquiries@wno.org.uk with a copy of your CV. Please note that, while we are happy to hear all professional singers, we do not have many audition slots and there can be a long wait involved. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from singers from all backgrounds.
If you are interested in auditioning for extra Chorus work, please send your CV to Rebecca Donkin.
For all other roles including permanent chorus members, and orchestra and music staff please see our current vacancies.
There are a variety of opportunities for singers within our Youth Opera and Community Chorus.
Work experience
If you’re thinking about a career in the arts when you finish school, college or university, work experience can be a great way to learn about the different departments within an arts organisation. Each year WNO offers work experience, placements and shadowing opportunities in different departments across the organisation dependent on availability and company schedules.
If you are interested in work experience opportunities here at WNO please complete the work experience request form.
* There are currently no opportunities available for work experience. Any future opportunities will be advertised here so please continue to check the page regularly for updates.*
Values
We are:
Inclusive: We have a workplace culture where all people are respected and valued
Collaborative: We work as a team to achieve common goals
Dynamic: We challenge ourselves creatively and encourage new ideas
Generous: Our people use their talent, knowledge and skills with a generosity of spirit
Responsible: We act with integrity and accountability
About Cardiff
Cardiff is a city proud of its culture, history and language. The capital of Wales since 1955, it has embraced the role with vigour, emerging in the new millennium as one of Britain’s leading urban centres.
Cardiff is a compact city; an ancient castle to the north of its centre; a thriving waterfront at Cardiff Bay to its south; it combines ancient history, sporting excitement, ultra-modern development, eclectic culture and activities and is a friendly, diverse and exciting capital city, just 2 hours by train from London.
Cardiff offers a startling range of unique attractions, top class entertainment and quality shopping with a difference and is easy to explore on foot with attractions such as the National Museum Cardiff, spectacular Cardiff Castle and the impressive Principality Stadium, all within the City Centre, while Cardiff Bay is a short hop away.
It is also a thriving hub for the arts and media in Wales and internationally and a flourishing film and TV industry. Many mainstream television programmes such as Torchwood, Merlin, Gavin and Stacey, Casualty, Sherlock, Upstairs Downstairs, The Hollow Crown Shakespeare series of plays and Pobol y Cwm are all being produced by BBC Wales and S4C, with Doctor Who attracting fans from across the globe. Cardiff also hosts many musical events including the prestigious Cardiff Singer of the World bi-annual competition which draws a huge international audience of fans to the city as well as many arts and media students who chose to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies is based at Cardiff University, a member of the prestigious Russell Group of leading universities and the Cardiff School of Creative and Cultural Industries at the University of South Wales.
Along with the innovative architecture of Cardiff City Centre with its historic buildings, Cardiff Bay offers a great mix of dining, shopping, activities, waterside views, arts and entertainment for everyone. At its heart is Wales Millennium Centre, the home of Welsh National Opera.
Colleague Benefits
Pension
All employees are automatically enrolled into WNO’s Stakeholder Pension Scheme (the “Plan”) or such other registered pension scheme as may be set up by the Company as a Qualifying Workplace Pension Scheme three months after joining the Company, subject to satisfying certain eligibility criteria.
Maternity/ Paternity/ Adoption
We offer a generous scheme which provides payments in addition to statutory provisions.
Corporate Leisure – Gym Membership
All employees are eligible to obtain the Active Corporate Card operated by Cardiff City Council which is available at a 25% reduced rate and covers various leisure facilities throughout Cardiff.
Discounts
Wales Millennium Centre offers discounts to residents at selected outlets within the building and selected restaurants around Cardiff Bay on presentation of ID cards. Discounted rate with Future Inns in Cardiff.
Staff Parking Discount with Q Park
We have a corporate rate with Q Park, Pierhead Street (opposite WMC).
Employee Assistant Programme
We provide a free confidential; counselling and advice service that is available family.to all our employees, freelancers and contractors.
Welsh lessons
We support staff who want to learn or improve their Welsh language skills, and we offer optional basic Welsh and improver lessons free of charge.