If you’re still recovering from the strain of the summer holidays, the money pot long diminished on the endless ice creams and days out – fear not WNO have a free day of entertainment for you; our Explore Opera Day and don’t worry we don’t charge extra for the flakes.
So come and fill the empty void that appears between summer and Halloween with WNO’s help. Think back to your favourite childhood memory, are you building sandcastles on the beach, watching a busker for the first time or being transformed into a tiger? Recreate (some of) these memories; embrace Cardiff Bay, the iconic Wales Millennium Centre and all its charm to create brand new unforgettable adventures.
The day will include demonstrations, exhibitions, performances and interactive experiences all taking place throughout Wales Millennium Centre’s foyer. WNO Chorus members will also be treating the public to a taste of their extraordinary voices.
Nurture the young talent in your family by taking part in our percussion workshops – maybe you have a budding musician in the making or join our props workshop, where kids can come along and make some fox-ear headbands.
Ever wondered how opera companies produce such a sheer amount of props or dress such large choruses in so many different outfits or completely transforms someone with a simple wig? Then your curiosity will be sated as the team at WNO share backstage techniques so you can discover for yourself the secrets of life in the wings.
There will also be an Augmented Reality (AR) experience, A Vixen’s Tale, where you can delve into the wondrous woodland of the fox’s forest. Our human scale tunnel installation will transport you into a pop-up-book-style world where you can be inspired by Janáček’s music and themes from the opera The Cunning Little Vixen around the cycle of life and nature. And say hello to the odd cheeky frog.
Unleash the playful little cub within you and come along to our Explore Opera Day. A fun filled fiesta, like the Vixen in the opera you can reflect on the importance of spending time with your nearest and dearest. It’s not just for the family though it’s for everyone; win brownie points and take your niece along, drag your cousin away from the Xbox or simply take yourself.
To conclude the day with an exhilarating finale we will have the interactive storytelling from author Mark Evans, who will be reading his brand new ABC of Opera children’s book, followed by a vocal performance by members of WNO Chorus.
To find sandcastles though you’ll have to pop across to Barry but the highlight of the day will naturally be the face painting and as Nessa would say, ‘Everyone loves a face paint.’ Adults included.