Welsh National Opera

Went to WNO performance of Candide last night, in Oxford. Fantastic production and fabulous performances. If you can get to see it before it closes, do go. Thanks for a great evening, WNO!

The Magic Flute.Not bad.... The WNO orchestra were spot on. The cast could act and sing. Awesome stand outs were the queen of the night's rage aria and the papagaino and papagaina duet. However, it was an updated production that while good in places was interesting in others. For me the production went too left field losing the story line of the original. At times I was watching the scenary moving about the stage which distracted from the opera. Plus as the turn table which moved some of the scenery was still spinning when cast members came back on proved interesting. Which is why i gave 3 stars

Saw The Makropoulos Affair at Plymouth's Theatre Royal last night, and it was absolutely stunning in every respect. To be honest, I'm not the world's hugest opera fan, but I've been intrigued by the plot of this work for nearly 50 years so thought I'd grab the chance to see it. This is not a work you'd want to sit down and listen to on headphones, or even - I suspect - watch on a screen. But the vitality and vividness of the performances, costumes, sets, and direction were amazing. It's certainly a strange piece for sure, but the portrayal of a character gradually falling apart - sometimes comically, sometimes distressingly - was extraordinary. The end was devastating and brought tears to me eyes. A triumph both musically and dramatically!

Walking in to this amazing building to rehearse Fidelio. This opera company manages to combine superb professionalism with the ability to reach out to the community and involve the public. The productions this generates like the recent Rhondda rips it up are magic. Come and give opera a try. Maybe you'll start a lifetime passion.

Watched performance of Ainadamar tonight. Exceptional performance in a brilliant theatre. First time I've been to watch Opera, staff were very helpful so it was a great experience. Meg in particular was very helpful!

Incredible both inside and outside

Excellent opera company who tour two seasons a year to selected theatres. We usually attend at Llandudno and performances are superb; usually some star performers, incredible stage sets and imaginative interpretations. Surtitles are shown in English and Welsh at Llandudno and in Cardiff.

Superb experience for the whole family at Play Opera Live. The only thing my mum and even me as parent find was the sound of orchestra and both soloists was too quiet. What a pity because they played and sang beautifully.

The Millennium Centre in Cardiff is a fantastic venue with access for wheelchairs, lifts, plenty of bars, and little cafes.But to go there for a performance by Welsh National Opera, at home, is my idea of heaven!I have adored this company since I was eleven and my schoolfriend and I used to go to the New Theatre and sit in ' the gods' ( upper circle, very basic then, and all we could afford) to see them at every opportunity.Their latest offering,'Candide' with music by Leonard Bernstein, is the most amazing thing I have ever seen!Wonderful animations, black gauze curtains and carefully placed stairs and props provide the fascinating scenery.There is an excellent standard of singing by talented principals and the resident chorus, brilliant orchestral playing, conducted with passion, and the most innovative, thought- provoking, sometimes shocking, but always riveting production imaginable.The only way to describe it is Gilbert and Sullivan meets the best Musical Theatre meets West Side Story meets Grand Opera and then some!Marvel at a soprano part where impossibly high notes are achieved whilst the soprano in question is also involved in dance and movement!See the hero of the hour, Candide, who is both handsome and vocally adept.This production has now finished, in Cardiff, but it is going on to Cornwall for the start of a tour.If you possibly can, try to catch up with it somewhere.For a first experience of Opera, it is perfect, and for the seasoned Opera lover, it should be a real treat!