In a hammer blow to opera in Wales and to Welsh singers, Mid Wales Opera has lost its £107k annual funding from the Arts Council of Wales.
It is understood the decision could also mean the loss of the £99.5k the innovative small venue stiurign company receive through the Creatve arts scheme. This is awarded on a project by project basis so there may be the possibiity of this form of funding could continue.
The company’s chair, Gareth Williams said, “We are deeply disappointed and indeed shocked at the news that – after 35 years of staging remarkable opera across the length and breadth of Wales – the Arts Council has decided not to offer us multi-annual funding. Obviously, we will be considering our next steps over the coming weeks. This will, however, be a hammer blow for the young artists who gain invaluable career development opportunities from working with us, as well as to audiences in towns and rural communities who have few, if any opportunities to experience live opera.
“However, this decision has no direct impact on our exciting plans for the next few months which are fully funded. We look forward to welcoming audiences from Barmouth to Abergavenny and from Milford Haven
to Bangor to our performances of Berlioz’s ‘Beatrice and Benedict’ (from 13 October to 10 November) and of Macbeth in February and March 2024”.
Ironically, Mid Wales Opera provides work for many Welsh opera singers, particularly younger singers, and is where opera lovers are most likely to hear singers from Wales, rather than at Welsh National Opera which prides itself on its international range of performers.
It is also more likely that you will see Welsh singers starring in performances outside Wales. That will be even more marked should Mid Wales Opera have to cease providing its extensive opera touring.
Mid Wales Opera Beatrice and Benedict tour:
Mid Wales Opera’s autumn 2023 tour: Beatrice and Benedict