WNO Friends branches
Friends’ branches organise events to raise money for WNO. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Bristol & West of England Friends
Contact: Melanie David | 01934 842014 | melaniejdavid@btinternet.com
Events at The Apostle Room, Clifton Cathedral. 6:45pm for 7:15pm.
An Evening with Sophie Hughes
(due to the indisposition of Sarah Boswell who was previously advertised)
Wednesday 25 September 2024
Sophie discusses the many aspects of her role with Andrew Borkowski and shares some of her favourite music.
Whatever happened to Operetta?
Wednesday 16 October 2024
Operetta isn’t just Die Fledermaus and The Merry Widow! International baritone, Donald Maxwell, presents a guide to some of the highways and byways of this tuneful, intoxicating and unjustly neglected genre.
With that racket I built my villa
Wednesday 20 November 2024
Dr David Bednall, musicologist, explores Richard Strauss’s operatic journey, particularly his work with Hofmannsthal.
The Art of Maria Callas
Wednesday 19 February 2025
Callas remains arguably the most celebrated soprano in the history of opera. Andrew Borkowski presents a wide-ranging selection of her recordings as a testament to the genius of this supreme vocal artist.
Peter Grimes
Wednesday 19 March 2025
Broadcaster Nigel Simeone introduces the music of Peter Grimes and considers how Britten, who described opera as ‘the most exciting of musical forms’, combined innovation and convention to create this operatic masterpiece.
Our brilliant orchestra
Wednesday 16 April 2025
The extremely versatile WNO Orchestra has appeared on many wonderful recordings in a wide range of repertoire. Ian Cartwright introduced a selection of these recordings with examples from Verdi, Wagner and Tchaikovsky, and some surprises.
The Best of British
Wednesday 21 May 2025
David Martin introduces two superbly tuneful British operas; the flamboyant comedy The Bear by William Walton, based on the Chekov play, and the romantic Cornish Legend Iernin by George Lloyd, inspired by the Nine Maidens standing stones in West Penwith.
Friends’s favourites
Wednesday 18 June 2025
Following our 45th AGM, Andrew Borkowski and Ian Cartwright will present a selection of favourite opera excerpts chosen by our audience.
North Wales Friends
Contact : Roz Jones | 01492 860251 | rozjones@uwclub.net
Fundraising Coffee Concerts in Llandudno during WNO's Spring and Autumn weeks at Venue Cymru. Details will appear here when confirmed.
Oxford Friends
Contact: Bernadette Whittington | 01844 237551 | bwhittington2@btinternet.com
Fundraising events in Oxford including annual 'Castaway's Choice' and Summer Opera at New College, plus occasional coach trips to WNO performances elsewhere. Details will appear here when confirmed.
Castaway with Roderick Williams including AGM, on Sunday 3 November at St Hugh’s College, Oxford. Details including ticket application form to be available once confirmed.
Swansea & West Wales Friends
Contact: Jennifer Macleod | 01792 463936 | macleod.jennifer@hotmail.com
Fundraising concerts in Swansea with a variety of musicians and performers including young opera singers. Details will appear here when confirmed
Reflections on a lifetime in opera
An afternoon of song and humour
David Owen Lewis in conversation with Gareth Jones at St Peter's Church, Newton, Swansea,SA3 4RA. Sunday 22 September 2024, 3pm.
Tickets £10 each available on the door from Vanessa Bassett or vanessabassett@hotmail.com | 07702 499524.
