Welsh National Opera is set to ignite the stage with its electrifying 2025/2026 Season, marking a monumental 80th anniversary celebration. The anticipation builds as WNO prepares to grace the Birmingham Hippodrome in May 2026 with an exhilarating new production of *The Flying Dutchman* on Thursday, 7th May, followed by the triumphant return of *Blaze of Glory!* on Friday, 8th May.
In an exciting debut, esteemed Welsh director, producer and video designer Jack Furness will bring his visionary touch to this fresh and contemporary reimagining of Wagner’s early masterpiece. Under the baton of WNO Music Director Tomáš Hanus, audiences will be swept away from the thunderous overture to the haunting arias that capture Wagner’s evocative portrayal of oceanic power and profound human emotions like loneliness and longing for connection.
Adding a poignant layer to this celebratory season is the revival of *Blaze of Glory!*, a heartfelt tribute that follows a group of resilient Welsh miners as they embark on an inspiring musical journey to resurrect their male voice choir after enduring a local mining disaster. This season promises not just performances but experiences that resonate deeply with passion and history.
Steeped in the Welsh choral tradition and with community spirit at its heart, this is the perfect way to celebrate this special milestone for WNO, which itself emerged from the post-War period, sparked by the passion for music held by a group of amateur performers from across South Wales, including doctors, miners and teachers.
Composed by David Hackbridge Johnson, and with a libretto by Emma Jenkins, this uplifting show combines traditional Welsh harmonies with the acapella sounds of the 1950s, with operetta, gospel and big band added into the mix.
Caroline Clegg returns to direct, with James Southall conducting. Many of the original cast will return, including Jeffrey Lloyd-Roberts as the Chorus Master Dafydd Pugh, Rebecca Evans as Nerys Price, Themba Mvula as Anthony and Feargal Mostyn-Williams as Bryn Bevan.
WNO co-CEOs / General Directors 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. It is a joy to welcome back so many old friends, see new emerging talent take the step up onto our stages and, through our extraordinary work with young people and a huge range of projects in our local communities, so many people make their first visit to the opera. 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.’
Welsh National Opera’s The Flying Dutchman and Blaze of Glory! comes to Birmingham Hippodrome on Thursday 7 May 2026 and Friday 8 May 2026.
Tickets will go on sale to Friends of Birmingham Hippodrome on Wednesday 26 February at 11am and on general sale on Monday 3 March at 11am. Tickets can be purchased at birminghamhippodrome.com or by calling 0121 689 3000