Welsh National Opera has today announced the productions in its 2025/2026 season, a season which marks the Company’s 80th anniversary.

The year includes a new production of Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman during the spring season by Welsh director Jack Furness, and a new production of Puccini’s Tosca, by Edward Dick originally seen at Opera North in 2018, during the Autumn Season. Welsh-Ukranian soprano Natalya Romaniw returns to sing the title role of Tosca.

Elsewhere, Bernstein's Candide directed by James Bonas returns in the Autumn alongside Tosca. Both will open in Cardiff before touring to Southampton, Llandudno and Bristol. 

In its Spring offering, WNO starts the year in 2026 with a new production of Wagner's The Flying Dutchman with Welsh director, producer and video designer Jack Furness making his WNO debut.

Also in spring is a return of Caroline Clegg's production Blaze of Glory!, composed by David Hackbridge Johnson. The opera follows a group of Welsh miners as they embark on a musical journey to reform their male voice choir after a local mining disaster. Both spring performances will open in Cardiff before touring to Plymouth, Birmingham, Milton Keynes and Swansea. 

Speaking of the new season announcement, new co-CEOs Sarah Crabtree and Adele Thomas said: ‘It is so thrilling to be announcing our first season at the helm of WNO: a season in which Welsh artists and Welsh stories are front and centre ... We believe opera is the dynamic artform of our age and we are excited to be opening the doors on EICH Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru: YOUR Welsh National Opera.’