WNO for hire

Discover the secrets of opera’s backstage

Welsh National Opera's Events and Experiences packages, give you the opportunity for a glimpse behind the curtain at the vast catalogue of work, made in Wales, by the nation’s largest arts organisation.  

Whether you are looking for something bespoke or choose to pick one of our ready-made packages* an event with WNO promises to enchant because creating unforgettable experiences is in our DNA.  

Extensive backstage tour 

Witness the bustling excitement of a WNO Season. Explore the backstage areas in our home, Wales Millennium Centre, including our costume making departments, rehearsal studios, loading dock and more.

Available when WNO are resident at Wales Millennium Centre.  A restricted offer may be offered on tour subject to venue scheduling and would include an additional admin fee.
1 hour, £30 per head (minimum of 5 people)

Wigs and Make-up Experience

Step into the most glamourous part of WNO. Ever wondered how our wigs look so realistic?  Or how much make-up it takes to transform a beautiful leading lady to her death bed?  This is your chance to find out!  Visit our Wigs and Make-up department where a member of your group will be made up as the opera character of their choice.  While they work their magic, your group can talk to our talented team about their job and how they transform singers into hundreds of different characters every year. 
1 hour, £500 (maximum of 5 people)

Technical Day (at Wales Millennium Centre) 

The technical aspects of a WNO performance are without doubt some of the most complex and interesting.  WNO regularly have at least one production per Season with an army of staff involved in ensuring all these productions run safely and like clockwork. All without you seeing any of it from your seat in the audience. Meet our technical department and hear what they do, and ask those burning questions on the logistics of building a set, prop making, wigs and make-up, costume and taking it all on tour.

WNO’s technical day can include a backstage tour but to facilitate this, your group will need to be 20 people or fewer.

Price on application, subject to numbers and schedule. 

Associate Artist Masterclass 

Have you ever wondered how the wonderful voice you’ve heard at the opera gets trained?  Join us for a session with a WNO Associate Artist as they are coached through their next role or demanding aria. WNO’s Associate Artist Scheme is a 30-year-old talent development scheme for emerging professional singers. They each receive a salaried position at the Company for one year, learning a huge array of skills and having regular coaching sessions.

Our masterclass gives you exclusive insight into a coaching session and the opportunity to see WNO music staff at work.

Price on application, subject to numbers and scheduling. 

All these opportunities can be packaged with tickets and hospitality around a WNO performance, which will include additional costs.

Hire WNO for your event

WNO are available to hire for your event, large or small, and can tailor packages to suit, with examples below: 

Individual singer(s) with piano Make your event special with a live singer to provide background music or as a performance. Selections of popular arias available.

Operatic duets with ensemble There is nothing quite like an opera duet to take your event to the next level with music available from some of opera’s greatest hits La traviata, William Tell, La boheme and more.

Choice of repertoire available, subject to arrangement costs.

WNO Chorus Have the world-class WNO Chorus to entertain at your event guaranteed to add that wow factor. 

Brass quintet A lively choice for any event. Members of WNO Orchestra will perform a set of popular repertoire.

Harpist There is nothing more beautiful at an event than one of Wales’ best-loved instruments as background music.

Barbershop quartet Add a little fun to your event as four WNO Chorus members sing and interact with your guests, barbershop style!

String quartet A classic choice for any event.  Members of WNO Orchestra will perform a set of popular repertoire.

5-piece ensemble plus two singers   A combination of singers and orchestral players from WNO’s core ensembles

Prices for packages involving performers are available on request. 

*Please note that all Events and Experiences are subject to scheduling. WNO is a touring Company, but we will do our best to accommodate your request.  We require a minimum of 28 days’ notice for most experiences, and more, if you would like orchestral musicians or performers at your event.

To discuss your needs, and a quote contact Sarah Cannon-Jones, Heads of Events & Experiences sarah.cannon-jones@wno.org.uk