David Pountney, WNO’s new Chief Executive and Artistic Director, launches an ambitious programme of new productions this week. Presenting details of his first two seasons at the helm of WNO, Mr Pountney stressed the importance of risk taking and adventure, in spite of the economic challenges lying ahead.
WNO will be staging eight new productions over 2012 – 2014, in addition to themed seasons aimed at opening up discussion and debate around classic and modern opera repertoire, and a specially staged Donizetti trilogy featuring the turmoil and splendour of The Tudor period.
“Coming back home to WNO where I started in 1976 is an exciting moment for me and from the beginning of 2013 my artistic plans start to become clear,” Mr Pountney said. “I hope that they also demonstrate why I wanted to return to lead this company, which has the tremendous potential to be a beacon of artistic quality and ambition.
“WNO’s artistic year is made up of three seasons and my aim is to give each of these programmes a distinct theme and identity. Setting our work in the broad context of European culture and ideas, of which opera is such a high point, also helps to make clear our function within the proud country of Wales, as well as the English cities with which we have such a long and long-lasting relationship.”
Highlights of the programme include:
- Eight new productions, including a Donizetti trilogy (Anna Bolena, Maria Stuarda, Roberto Devereux), Berg’s Lulu, Puccini’s Manon Lescaut and Henze’s Boulevard Solitude.
- A celebration of the bi-centenary of Wagner’s birth with a new production of Lohengrin and the UK premiere of the stage version of Jonathan Harvey’s electro-acoustic opera Wagner Dream.
- Showcase seasons for WNO’s acclaimed chorus, including a new production of Nabucco and the UK premiere of a production of Moses and Aaron first performed by Staatstheater in Stuttgart.
- The centenary of the birth of Benjamin Britten marked with a new production of Paul Bunyan by Welsh National Youth Opera.
- An ambitious and eclectic concert series from the Orchestra of Welsh National
- Opera and Music Director Lothar Koenigs, featuring works by Zemlinsky, Berg, Wagner, Alma Mahler, Gustav Mahler, Bruckner and Henze.
- Development in Birmingham of WNO’s pioneering work with people with dementia recently recognised by the Royal Society for Public Health.
