Vacancy - Music Director

Welsh National Opera is looking for an exceptional Music Director to work collaboratively with their new General Directors and CEOs, Sarah Crabtree and Adele Thomas, in forging a compelling vision and bright future for the Company.  

Welsh National Opera emerged out of the post war spirit of democracy and the Welsh grassroots obsession with the human voice in song. This history informs how we want to reimagine WNO as the opera company of the future.  

With its roots in Wales, and a unique touring network across England, we want WNO to be a pioneering, brave and contemporary arts organisation within the UK live art ecology. Building on our international reputation for musical excellence and theatrical vibrancy, we envisage our future as one searching for increased diversity, both on our stages and in our audiences, and questioning what opera can be in the modern world. 

What will you need to have?

  • International credibility as an opera conductor who can further enhance WNO’s reputation for excellence.
  • A reputation for innovation alongside a deep understanding of the repertoire and a desire to influence the future of opera.
  • A commitment to nurturing the musical and theatrical soul of the Company and a commitment to developing the talents of the Chorus and Orchestra both as ensembles and individuals.
  • A real desire to collaborate with the General Directors, the Music and Artistic Administration teams on the planning and execution of the artistic programme across everything the Company does. 
  • A commitment to developing the Company’s Welsh identity both in programming and artist development.
  • An interest in WNO’s touring remit.
  • A willingness to actively take part in the different aspects of WNO’s work both in Cardiff and on tour.
  • A willingness to be an advocate for the Company’s vision with the wider audience and key stakeholders via all media platforms.
  • A commitment to spending a significant amount of time in Cardiff, and to be available to WNO senior staff virtually, when not in residence. 
  • We anticipate a start date of the beginning of the 2027/28 season, but WNO is open to discussing this and the length of tenure with interested candidates.

If you are looking for the next challenge, then apply today. We equally welcome applications in both English and Welsh.  

To express an interest in this role, please send an email and CV to musicdirectorsearch@wno.org.uk