Welsh National Opera has cancelled its scheduled appearances in Bristol during its 2024/25 season and reduced those in Llandudno, citing increasing financial challenges.
In a statement, the company said that substantial reductions in its public funding and challenging economic times had forced it to make cuts. Its grants had recently been reduced by 35% from Arts Council England and 12% from Arts Council Wales.
Interim General Director Christopher Barron said he knew the decision would deeply disappoint audiences in Bristol and Llandudno, where venues would contact all who had already booked to arrange exchanges of refunds.
"Our new financial situation means that we have the challenge of balancing a reduced budget whilst maintaining artistic standards in providing a stimulating programme of performance and engagement activities. This means taking decisions that are difficult but, in the circumstances, unavoidable," he said.
"While we are regrettably losing a week in Llandudno in May, we are pleased to still be visiting Venue Cymru [Llandudno] in the autumn with our new production of Rigoletto and with Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi, as well as our new and popular Opera Favourites concert."
WNO’s programme now includes dates in Cardiff, Llandudno, Plymouth, Oxford, Southampton, Swansea, Birmingham, Milton Keynes and Plymouth, but none in Bristol.
Mr Barron added "we also continue to work right across Wales with our concert programme and with our community and engagement work which will include a creative project in schools across Conwy in 2024/2025.
"WNO represents Wales on a local, national and international level as well as creating and delivering projects that have a positive impact in communities. We are committed to continuing to deliver this work and ensuring our long-term future as Wales’s national opera company."