A whole host of illustrious names sent messages to celebrate Welsh National Opera’s 75th anniversary throughout the last month, including one very special contributor, our Patron, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.
The Company’s links with The Prince date back to his investiture, as the book published for our 40th anniversary (Welsh National Opera by Richard Fawkes) describes ‘1969 will be best remembered in Wales, and beyond, as the year of the Investiture of The Prince of Wales. Members of the Voluntary Chorus and Chorale joined with choirs from all over Wales to sing during the ceremony at Carnarvon Castle, and WNO decided to mount two special events to celebrate the occasion. The first of these was a gala performance of Fidelio’.
The second of these events was WNO’s new production of Falstaff starring Geraint Evans and The Prince is said to have attended the Cardiff performance on 14 October.
His Royal Highness became WNO’s Patron in 1997, and has been a fantastic supporter ever since. In recent years he has joined us for performances at Wales Millennium Centre, including Die Fledermaus and La forza del destino, meeting singers, musicians and staff during his visits.
During a visit to La forza del destino in Spring 2018, members of WNO Youth Opera performed on his arrival – a wonderful and unique experience for the talented young people