Events
Die Walkure - Wagner
Royal Opera House Debut
Antonio Pappano - Conductor
Barrie Kosky - Director
Christopher Maltman - Wotan
Elisabet Strid - Brunnhilde
Lise Davidsen - Sieglinde
Stanislas de Barbeyrac - Siegmund
Solomon Howard - Hunding
Marina Prudenskaya - Fricka
Katie Lowe - Ortlinde
Claire Barnett-Jones - Waltraute
Maida Hundeling - Helmwige
Lee Bisset - Gerhilde
Catherine Carby - Siegrune
Alison Kettlewell - Rossweisse
Monika-Evelin Liiv - Grimgerde
Rhonda Browne - Schwertleite
BBC NOW - Sea Pictures
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Kristian Sallinen Conductor
Claire Barnett-Jones Mezzo-Soprano
Williams Fantasia on Welsh Nursery Tunes
Elgar Sea Pictures
Dvořák Symphony No. 9 in E minor ‘From the New World’
The Annual St Davids Cathedral Music Festival, now in its 44th iteration, returns in May Half Term (23rd-28th) with a lineup featuring both favourite artistes and Festival debutantes.
A yearly highlight of the Festival programme is the performance by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, who return on Saturday 24th May. Conducted this year by rising Finnish star Kristian Sallinen, their 2025 programme features Dvorak’s mighty Symphony No. 9 ‘from the New World’, complemented by Welsh composer Grace Williams’ Fantasia on Welsh Nursery Tunes and Edward Elgar’s Sea Pictures, sung by BBC Cardiff Singer of the World finalist Claire Barnett-Jones.
Hansel and Gretel
January 31 - 7:30pm, February 1 - 2pm, February 6 - 7:30pm
Conductor - Jonathan Brandani
Stage Director - Brenna Corner
Hansel - Carolyn Sproule
Gretel - Simone Osborne
Witch and Mother - Claire Barnett-Jones
Featuring - The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
This tickly take on the Grimms’ timeless treasure gives giggles galore. Puckish production and puppet design from The Old Trout Puppet Workshop are all-ages eye candy.
DAS SCHLAUE FÜCHSLEIN
One of the most touching and unsentimental love scenes in opera history takes place not between people, but between two young, erotically inexperienced foxes. Leoš Janáček imbues their encounter with the unrepeatable magic of the first time. His libretto, based on a picture story, tells the story of the young vixen who is caught by the forester, incites the chickens to revolution on his farm before she bites their throats, takes to her heels, drives the badger out of his den, marries the fox, gives birth to an incalculable number of offspring and is finally shot by the poacher.
Recital with Rebecca Cohen - Drogheda
One of Operawire’s 10 Rising Stars, BBC Cardiff Singer of the World prize-winner and mezzo-soprano Claire Barnett-Jones makes her Irish recital début joining acclaimed pianist Rebecca Cohen for a sensual programme of song and cabaret plus some Christmas favourites.
Programme to include songs by Alma Mahler, Richard Strauss and Kurt Weil
Elijah - Mendelssohn
Our regular performance partners Belfast Philharmonic Choir have a special birthday this year, and we’re delighted to be part fo their 150th celebrations! ‘The Phil’ are one of only a handful of choral societies that have an unbroken record of performance since their inception and their first performance in 1874 of Mendelssohn’s Elijah. The date and music couldn’t be better, so join the celebrations with a performance of Mendelssohn’s dramatic, epic oratorio that depicts earthquake, fire and the still, small voice of God.
Peter Grimes - Dutch National Opera
6th, 9th, 13th, 15th, 18th, 22nd
Dive into the world of Peter Grimes and experience the force of the sea, fate, and an unforgiving crowd. The eccentric fisherman Peter Grimes becomes entangled in the suspicions of his wary villagers. Can one man stand strong when the whole community turns against him?
John Findon: Peter Grimes
Issachah Savage: Peter Grimes
Johanni van Oostrum: Ellen Orford
Leigh Melrose: Captain Balstrode
Helena Rasker: Auntie
Thembinkosi Magagula: Niece 1
Sophia Hunt: Niece 2
Lucas van Lierop: Bob Boles
James Platt: Swallow
Claire Barnett-Jones: Mrs. Sedley
Marcel Reijans: Rev. Horace Adams
Will Liverman: Ned Keene
Sam Carl: Hobson