Celebrating Ten Years with Welsh National Opera

The College and Welsh National Opera celebrated ten years of partnership this week with a series of concerts in the Dora Stoutzker Hall as part of WNO’s bi-annual residency.

The residency is part of the long-term relationship with WNO and allows students to rehearse and perform ‘side by side’ with WNO musicians, playing in a working environment that reflects the reality of their chosen industry.

Violinist Jess Townsend (above with WNO Orchestra Leader David Adams) was one of the students who was chosen to perform this week with the WNO String Ensemble, following auditions at WNO earlier in the year. She also won a coveted place on the professional placement scheme, gives students unique access to WNO opera rehearsals, including sitzprobes and dress rehearsals in the orchestra pit at Wales Millennium Centre. Jess was recently involved in rehearsal’s for WNO’s production of ‘Mose in Egitto’, conducted by Carlo Rizzi.

Luke Millard with WNO principal cellist Rosie Biss

“This placement means that I can see at first-hand how the orchestra really works and play alongside them as an equal member of the section, making the experience far more ‘real’ and immersive. Now I know what to expect in a professional rehearsal, how to conduct myself, and have also been advised on how to blend my sound and vibrato with the section to make a cohesive overall sound.

Music students Luke Millard, Benjamin Jones, Jess Townsend, Isobel Scott and Lowri Thomas taking a break in rehearsals at WNO

It’s been such a wonderful opportunity, and the placement is so extensive – the WNO musicians’ warmth, ability and expectation of me as an equal member of the section has really put me in a confident and informed place which has just confirmed my desire to pursue a career playing in an orchestra.”

The collaboration with WNO gives students the opportunity to gain invaluable experience of the profession across the full span of arts disciplines – from opera performance and repetiteurship, to designers, costume makers and stage managers.