More fails in Wales
OperaCracks are widening at Welsh National Opera.
Two technical directors resigned this weekend. They were preceded by the head of HR who once said ‘I’ve never been to an opera and have no intention of going.’
A new director of artistic administration Kate Baylis, recruited from the AskonasHolt agency, has appointed a head of casting with three assistants for the purpose of programming four operas a year, at most. The is also a Head of Artistic Planning. Musicians and chorus members are checking their eligibility for state benefits on a pitifully low WNO wage.
Demoralisation is directly attributed to cuts in funding by the Arts Councils of England and Wales.
“Now once again, where does it fail?”
“In the vales, in the vales,”
“And where are those soggy vales?”
“In Wales! In Wales!”
“In Rhymney, Rhayader and Rhondda,
Rodelinda rarely happens,
How nice of you in Penpergwm …
The fails in Wales are mainly in the vales (and not the hillsides),
The fails in Wales are mainly in the vales … “
As ever, admin supersedes the musicians.
One of the most useless admins out there, at that.
I don’t think that’s fair. Everything a company does is to produce and preserve the artistry and music. It wouldn’t be possible without a staff team to administrate (neither without musicians to perform) – so if what you meant is Company superseding Individuals, then quite right. Change must happen.
The Admin get to keep their jobs, pension schemes etc, whilst the musicians go to sign on for Universal Credit. Therefore, admin supersedes musicians. Simple really.
I know several people who work there. the admin are at risk of losing their jobs where as the chorus and orchestra keep their jobs, albeit reduced
Without the chorus and orchestra there is no company…..
I don’t think that’s fair. Everything a company does is to produce and preserve the artistry and music. It wouldn’t be possible without a staff team to administrate (neither without musicians to perform) – so if what you meant is Company superseding Individuals, then quite right. Change must happen.
HR has always stood for Human Remains in the London corporate world rather than Resources.
Askonas Cult and their acolytes are responsible for the destruction of opera in the UK. They should hang their heads in shame.
Why??? Explain how an agent can work against music, opera and art!! Or we’re they involved with HR? Where are the audiences?
The audiences are dwindling and have been for years. The question should be asked as to whether WNO is still relevant. They talk about out reach work but fail to explain that it’s done by freelancers because it doesn’t suit the chorus and orchestra to do it. Only the minority participate.
What an absolutely moronic comment! How is Askonas Holt responsible for the demise of WNO?
Hell’s teeth! I live in California now, but I have wonderful memories of WNO, from when I lived in the UK.
It’s not just a UK thing.Opera companies worldwide seem to devoted to “Look after the short-term and the long-term will look after itself.”,
Sadly, they haven’t done themselves any favours recently. However, when the artists suffer, it’s atrocious.
In what way haven’t they done themselves any favours? Do you mean in terms of their productions?
The company has brilliant artists but also highly skilled people in many of the office teams – a shame when some bad attitudes take them all into disrepute
I don’t see a problem in the head of HR not knowing much about opera. I’m sure the artistic director knows nothing about employment law.
You need to be a fine HR director in all organisations not an opera buff. HR skills are transferable ones but, given the nature of the organisation, you’d think he, see or it would go and see at least one opera, be part of the company, engage and integrate with the company than move them around as a sack of potatoes or the latest stationery order.
They did go and see operas and did so before working for WNO. Do all HR directors like the product their employer sells? I doubt it
Or music.
If the head of an opera house’s HR department truly said, ‘I’ve never been to an opera and have no intention of going’, then it is time to bring back hanging or the guillotine for opera house officials who dislike their industry that much. Oh and consider the glorious music which would accompany the act!
slipped disc – how is it in any way acceptable to allow this on this site? This is a death threat is it not ? or do they not count when they are against women? or when they try and be witty? this is absolutely unbelievable – constant bullying of women on this site. why does everyone think calling for the deaths of administrators is ok? and why are only women ever named and hung out to dry on this site- it is absolutely toxic and it is getting worse ! is this what you want to be known for-
your legacy!!!??? as a representative of classical music in the UK ? why would the arts council fund this audience of hate ??
I think it is clear from the phrase ‘bring back hanging for opera house officials’ that the intention here is ironic rather than menacing. I would reconsider if you can produce one instance of an opera official who was executed for conduct in office.
Grow up!
I know who she was and she has been to many operas.
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When are we going to start holding board members and management to account???
When are we going to accept that the money is better spent elsewhere? Surely there are other arts companies that are more relevant to current society and that reach more people that deserve the money more?
Company ruined by a technical director and HR director. So pleased to see them go. I sincerely hope that once they get rid of the fools the company can go back to thriving.
What a load of twaddle. The damage was done years ago by people who wasted money. I imagine the HR person left because of dealing with idiots like you and arrogant and entitled staff who thought they knew it all. The Technical Director from what I can tell, has been there many years and has an excellent reputation. He’s probably had a guts full as well!
I can’t really comment on ‘admin’ but it was irksome to see very well paid ‘admin’ jobs being advertised by some theatres during UK lockdowns when the people who actually create and perform in shows were unemployed.
And in response to some of the sneering about WNO in posts here: a few weeks back I travelled to Bristol to see their production of Death in Venice, which was one of the best opera production I’ve seen and a great seat cost me £28. Now thanks to cuts in state funding the company will no longer tour to Bristol and have radically cut back their work. Meanwhile private, hugely expensive ‘country house’ opera is flourishing.