Welsh National Opera’s ever-popular new year concert is expanding its repertoire for 2020, taking audiences on a journey across Europe through music. A Journey to Vienna tours to seven venues in January.
WNO Orchestra will be under the direction of Leader and Concertmaster David Adams, as they return to venues across Wales from Swansea to St David’s, Newport to Newtown and Cardiff to Bangor. We’re also delighted to be crossing the Severn Bridge for the first time with this concert, and playing at the beautiful St George’s in Bristol.
As well as the timeless Viennese waltzes and polkas that are synonymous with this concert, the WNO Orchestra will also introduce Brahms’ Hungarian Dance, Dvorak’s Slavonic Dance and music from Offenbach, Faure and Mozart. The concert will close with classic Strauss favourites including the Magyar Polka and The Blue Danube.
Joining the Orchestra this year, we are thrilled to have soprano Mary Elizabeth Williams, who has become a firm favourite with WNO opera audiences from her performances in Un ballo in maschera, La forza del destinoand Die Fledermaus. Originally from Philadelphia, and now based in Italy, Mary Elizabeth is no stranger to journeys across Europe herself, with recent performances in Switzerland, Italy, Austria and the UK to name but a few.
WNO Orchestra has an extensive programme of concerts throughout the year, and the new year Viennese concerts have proved a firm favourite in recent years as these audience members can testify:
V WilliamsI enjoyed the concert last night, so, so much, ...moved me to tears.
AnnThe concert in Swansea last night was great! We enjoyed every item on the program.
Extend the new year spirit and join as at one of these concerts, which run from 3 – 14 January.