Company says it has taken the 'difficult decision' to withdraw two weeks from its previously announced 2024/2025 season in the face of challenging economic times.
Richard Hubert-Smith
Planned tours by Welsh National Opera to Bristol and Llandudno will not go ahead due to ongoing financial challenges, the organisation has said.
WNO said the "difficult decision" was taken because substantial reductions in the public funding it receives from Arts Council Engaland (ACE) and Arts Council of Wales (ACW), has necessitated the introduction of substantial budget efficiencies.
Alongside cancelling a tour to the Bristol Hippodrome in February 2025 and Llandudno's Venue Cymru, in May 2025, a performance of Rigoletto in Cardiff in February 2025 will also not go ahead as planned.
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WNO receives National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) funding from both Arts Council England (ACE) and Arts Council Wales (ACW) but its ACE funding was reduced from £6.24m to £4m a year for the 2023-26 period, a 35% reduction, while it receives £4.1m a year from ACW - an 11.8% reduction.
"The decision has been taken due to the challenging economic times facing all sectors, as well as substantial reductions in WNO’s public funding, which have meant the company needs to introduce substantial budget efficiencies," a statement issued by WNO said.
"This has no impact on our commitment to extending our reach throughout Wales, and WNO will still be visiting Venue Cymru in the autumn as planned with its new production of Rigoletto alongside Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi and an Opera Favourites performance."
The statement added that the cancellation of the performance of Rigoletto in Cardiff in February 2025 will have no impact on four scheduled performances of the new production in Cardiff this autumn.
WNO Interim General Director Christopher Barron said the company's financial situation brings with it the challenge of balancing a reduced budget while maintaining artistic standards.
"This means taking decisions that are difficult but, in the circumstances, unavoidable.
"These have been carefully considered and have been discussed with both our venues and the Arts Councils.
Last month an open letter from the company's Music Director said cuts have left it with a budget that is "not even sufficient for a small regional theatre".
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