A post-Brexit music market?
mainJasper Hope, former CEO of the Royal Albert Hall, is running the new opera house in Dubai.
Last week he booked a series with the BBC Proms.
Today, he’s importing Welsh National Opera (see press release below).
Welsh National Opera to Perform Madam Butterfly and La bohème at Dubai Opera in March 2017
Dubai Opera is proud to host the renowned Welsh National Opera (WNO) for the first time at the stunning venue in March next year (2017).
Performing two of the world’s most beloved Giacomo Puccini operas; Madam Butterfly from 2nd – 4th March followed by La bohème from 9th – 11th March, tickets will go on sale for all performances on 9 November at 9am. We are delighted that these performances are part of UK/UAE 2017, a year of Creative Collaboration led by the British Council, who are also supporting a programme of learning activities with Welsh National Opera. This will involve WNO working with schools and colleges across Dubai, where young people will have the chance to take part in workshops and masterclasses with WNO singers and orchestral players and will get to see behind the scenes of an opera company at open rehearsals. WNO will also be offering ‘Come and Sing’ workshops where anyone who enjoys singing can get involved, and a special Access All Arias – a pop-up opera event taking place in public spaces.
Interesting that it is WNO, ENO!
WNO’s productions – and the whole company – are geared towards touring. They tour continually. ENO’s main stage work hasn’t left the Coliseum in decades, and its in-house productions may well be too large for the stage in Dubai.
So WNO can get to Dubai but not to Swansea. They perform more in England than in Wales. Great company, wonderful chorus and orchestra but Welsh? National?
They also get a considerable subsidy from the ENGLISH arts council to play in Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol etc. Otherwise the WNO would not exist (the Welsh by themselves nowhere near provide sufficient funding).
So WNO can get to Dubai but not to Swansea. In fact, they perform more in England than in Wales. Great chorus, great orchestra but Welsh? National?
Dubai probably thinks that WNO has higher standards and is less expensive than ENO. (Have you seen ENO’s current Boheme?)
Agree re Swansea – but I assume that the pit is too small?? Likewise the theatre at Mold. Is there no way that Aberystwyth could be served? Scottish Opera tries to serve the smaller communities/theatres as well as the large ones.
We are very proud to be presented as part of the Dubai Opera House inaugural season, enriching the process of building an audience for opera and other art forms in the Gulf region. We are currently discussing how WNO can best serve the residents of Swansea in the future. If you’d like to drop us an email to discuss further, please contact marketing@wno.org.uk