Welsh National Opera has announced its shows for its autumn visit to Mayflower Theatre from Wednesday 1 to Friday 3 October 2025.
Autumn 2025: Tosca and Candide
WNO’s Autumn Season opens with a new production of Puccini’s Tosca. Edward Dick, who originated this production at Opera North in 2018, joins WNO to direct this opera classic which is full of passion, power and deceit, set to Puccini’s unforgettable score including the spine-tingling aria Tedeum and the hauntingly beautiful Vissi d’arte.
Returning to WNO is Welsh soprano Natalya Romaniw who will sing the lead role. She will be joined by Andrés Presno who returns to WNO to sing Cavaradossi.
Hungarian conductor Gergely Madaras makes his WNO debut to conduct this powerful and dramatic new production, which originally opened to critical acclaim.
Returning to WNO during the Autumn Season is the Company’s celebrated production of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, which brings the energy of a West End show to the opera stage.
18th-century France collides with 20th-century post-war America for this story that remains as relevant now as when it was first written. Combining the brilliance of Bernstein’s music with the wit of Dorothy Parker, this production pulls together Broadway, operetta and the satire of Voltaire’s original novella.
Clever animations work in harmony with the staging, music and dance to create an imaginative world on stage where audiences are taken on a ride from the Alps to the Amazonian jungles, and beyond.
Originally seen in Summer 2023, the original production team return to WNO, led by director James Bonas. Costume designs are by Nathalie Pallandre with sets by Thibault Vancraenenbroeck, and video and animation design by Grégoire Pont with Choreography by Ewan Jones. This time, the production will be under the baton of American conductor Ryan McAdams, making his WNO debut.
Ed Lyon returns in the title role of Candide, which won him critical acclaim as well as Welsh tenor, Aled Hall, who returns to the role as the Governor. The cast also includes Soraya Mafi – most recently seen at WNO as Gilda in Rigoletto – returning to sing Cunégonde.
Concert and Engagement Activity
WNO Chorus and Orchestra will be coming together again for A Night at the Opera concert. Bringing together passion, drama and unforgettable melodies, with performances during the autumn season. The concerts will feature music from Cavalleria rusticana, Madam Butterfly and Macbeth.
Tickets for Welsh National Opera’s A Night at the Opera, Candide and Tosca (1 – 3 October 2025) are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.
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