Take home piece of Welsh opera history (From Penarth Times)

Take home piece of Welsh opera history

10:04pm Thursday 20th April 2006 in Latest news

THE WELSH National Opera, which is marking its 60th birthday this weekend, has launched an online auction enabling followers to share in its long history.

Lots include costumes worn by star performers and the chance to play a WNO extra or conduct its orchestra. Others include spending time with Penarth-based director Carlo Rizzi, conducting the orchestra and working with the singers and conducting an aria.

Marketing director Lucy Shorrocks said it was a chance to bid for all kinds of prizes money can t buy.

The auction includes the Parisian couture dress that Lesley Garrett wore in The Merry Widow. Everyone can own their little piece of this company s wonderful history though making a bid.

Bidders can even nominate a favourite charity - like a hospice or sheltered housing association - for members of the WNO chorus to perform there. The auction has been devised to raise funds for the future work of the WNO, the UK s largest provider of touring opera.

WNO music director Carlo Rizzi said the company was going back to our roots.

He said: Over 60 years ago, friends and neighbours of Idloes Owen, a coal miner from the valleys, pooled resources to send him to music college. Later, he formed his vision of setting up an opera company for Wales.

Now, we are asking our audiences to do something very similar. It doesn t matter if it s 10, or 20,000. Everyone can own their little piece of this company s wonderful history though making a bid.

Other lots include vintage WNO posters, a chance to spend a day with the orchestra and signed Gala programmes by stars like Bryn Terfel, who has performed in The Flying Dutchman with the company this spring.