As Welsh National Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru steps into its bold new era, we have collaborated with acclaimed Welsh creatives Charlotte James and Clémentine Schneidermann at Bleak Fabulous to reimagine opera through a contemporary, distinctly Welsh lens.
Their signature style is one defined by colour, hope and fun, drawing on identity, people, community and collaboration. These new campaign images are cinematic, provocative and highly distinctive – designed to challenge expectations of opera and broaden its visual language.
With a hero image created for each of our new season shows, these images reflect the contemporary, bold and beautiful aesthetic for Welsh National Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru for Wales and beyond. Opera is the dynamic artform, and WNO is at the forefront as the modern, diverse and progressive opera company for the 21st century.
Clémentine said: "One of the highlights was seeing nearly 20 women walk onto the set dressed as brides. It felt surreal, an explosion of beauty and delicacy.
"When almost 40 people finally gathered on set, all dressed for the photograph, the room fell completely silent. Everyone was in awe of the scene we had created together. Even though the models were members of WNO staff rather than professional actors, they embodied their characters perfectly, as if they had stepped out of another era."
Welsh National Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru Co-General Directors, Adele Thomas and Sarah Crabtree said: “The 26/27 Season is something of a rebirth for WNO. When we approached Charlotte James and Clémentine Schneidermann to be a part of such an important moment, we couldn’t believe it when they said yes! Their response to our brief is more than we could ever have dreamt of. We are so proud of all of our staff, 63 of whom are represented here in their images.
“As we mark 80 years, we aren't looking back, we are launching forward with a spirit of adventure, joy and revolution with the ambition to make opera feel urgent, contemporary and alive for the next 80 years and beyond."
Clémentine said: "From the costume department to the set design, we were given endless support and creative possibilities.
"I particularly loved the stage the WNO team built for The Anonymous Lover and the velvet drapes, the fruits and flowers. Watching them bring everything together was truly inspiring."
The collaboration presents Welsh National Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru not just as a company of artists, but as a collective creative force with renewed energy. Seeing staff from across the organisation participating in the photoshoot was an inspiring moment we are all proud to share. The experience brought us immense joy and added a sense of personal ownership to a season we are hugely excited to be a part of.
Charlotte added: "Working with Welsh National Opera was brilliant. They have such an amazing team of artists working behind the scenes, and collaborating with their costume, set, and make-up departments felt like a natural extension of our own practice.
"Our work has always been drawn to period costume, theatrics and glamour. Having access to such skilled costume makers and designers allowed us to push that further."
Charlotte James and Clémentine Schneidermann’s work is currently being celebrated at Amgueddfa Cymru | Museum Wales in a thrilling exhibition, which runs until 2027.