News

Flying Tenor Saves the Day!

23rd June, 2022

VOICES FOR UKRAINE CONCERT

5th April, 2022

Adam Gilbert with WNO

27th October, 2021

Welsh National Opera celebrates the beauty of opera and the next generation of talent with a special performance of Introduzione and Intermezzo from Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana, featuring WNO Associate Artist Adam Gilbert and WNO Orchestra, conducted by WNO Conductor Laureate Carlo Rizzi.

SAD NEWS

3rd February, 2021


It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Peter Tansom.

Peter joined Harlequin back in 1992 as an administrator, specializing in databases and promotion.  He married former company owner and Managing Director, Doreen O’Neill in 1999, and had dedicated 22 years to building Harlequin alongside her, before he retired in June 2014.

Following a short illness, Peter died suddenly on 2 February 2021. 

Our thoughts are with Doreen and the family at this very sad and difficult time.

Nadolig Trystan Llŷr Griffiths

20th December, 2020

BBC CARDIFF SINGER OF THE WORLD 2019

17th July, 2018

Angharad Lyddon to represent Wales in 2019.

NEW ALBUM IN FIVE YEARS

18th June, 2018

Sir Bryn Terfel is back with his new studio album ‘Dreams and Songs’.

New Artist

14th March, 2018

Introducing the conductor and arranger, Paul Bateman.

New Artist

8th March, 2018

Introducing Welsh tenor, Rhodri Prys Jones.

Welsh Music Guild Awards

7th March, 2018

Shân Cothi wins the 2018 Geraint Stanley Jones Award.

Welsh Singer

2nd March, 2018

Angharad Lyddon competes for the opportunity to represent Wales in BBC Cardiff Singer of the World in 2019. 

TRYSTAN RELEASES FIRST SINGLE WITH DECCA

1st March, 2018

Between opera rehearsals and performances in France, concerts with Katherine Jenkins and playing the odd rugby match, Welsh Tenor, Trystan Griffiths has been busy recording  his début album for Decca, since singing to them in December last year. The first track is released today, in celebration of St David's Day.

TRYSTAN FINDS HIS TRUE VOICE

5th December, 2017

Trystan Llŷr Griffiths signs to Decca Records

New Artists

11th October, 2017

Proudly introducing Chanáe Curtis, Meinir Wyn Roberts, Angharad Lyddon, Sian Meinir, Kieron-Connor Valentine and Huw Ynyr.

BAFTA CYMRU

9th October, 2017

'Taith Bryn Terfel: Gwlad y Gân' - Winner of the BAFTA Cymru Entertainment Programme Category.

On Sale Now

6th October, 2017

HAREWOOD ARTIST

15th September, 2017

Elgan Llŷr Thomas announced as ENO Harewood Artist.

BAFTA CYMRU NOMINATION

6th September, 2017

'Taith Bryn Terfel: Gwlad y Gân' nominated for BAFTA Cymru Award,

GRENFELL CONCERT

6th September, 2017

Robert Lewis and Eugene Asti perform in a special Benefit Concert.

GALA CONCERT

6th September, 2017

Shân Cothi presents a Gala Concert in aid of Amser Justin Time on Saturday 28 October, 2017.

WW1: Passchendaele

31st July, 2017

Meilir Jones performs at the centenary commemoration of the Battle of Passchendaele.

CONGRATULATIONS

10th May, 2017

Congratulations to Sir Bryn Terfel and Hannah Stone on the birth of their baby daughter. Mother and baby are doing well.

Vocal Auditions

9th May, 2017

Harlequin will be holding auditions for general management on Wednesday the 24th of May,

Album Release

26th April, 2017

Joanna MacGregor releases The Complete Chopin Mazurkas on Friday 26 May 2017.

NEW ARTIST - STEFFAN MORRIS

13th April, 2017

Welsh cellist, Steffan Morris joins the Harlequin roster!

LINE-UP REVEALED!

12th April, 2017

Tosca will be performed at Llangollen on Tuesday 4 July, 2017.

Caecilia Award

13th March, 2017

Sophie Karthäuser and Eugene Asti win the Caecilia Award.

ARISE SIR BRYN TERFEL

7th March, 2017

The opera star has been knighted by the Queen.

Getting to Know...

9th February, 2017

Joanna MacGregor

Bryn Terfel at Dubai Opera

2nd February, 2017

Bryn Terfel will sing a recital at Dubai Opera on the 3rd December 2017.

Tosca at Llangollen

24th January, 2017

Bryn Terfel returns to Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in July! 

Knighthood for Bryn Terfel

31st December, 2016

Congratulations from everyone at Harlequin Agency as Bryn Terfel has been made a knight for his services to music in the New Year Honours list.

Bryn told Classic FM: "A month ago a letter was sent to my agent in Cardiff and I thought it was tickets to the rugby. I was absolutely speechless when I opened it - ashen-white, my heart-rate had tripled, my mouth was completely dry. What an accolade. I was given the CBE in 2003, The Queen's Medal for Music in 2006 and now this is, without doubt, the icing on the cake. You have to step back and think how things have worked out for this farmer's son from North Wales."

Getting to Know...

15th December, 2016

Icelandic bass-baritone, Andri Björn Róbertsson

‘A Falstaff for our age.’

30th November, 2016

Penderyn Distillery launched their fifth 'Icons of Wales' bottle.

Cheltenham Music Festival

17th November, 2016

Bryn Terfel returns to Cheltenham Music Festival in July 2017.

First for Glyndebourne

11th October, 2016

Alun Rhys-Jenkins joins the cast of Glyndebourne's first Madama Butterfly.

ENO Début

30th September, 2016

Andri Björn Róbertsson makes his company and role début with English National Opera this season.

Zurich Opera Début

19th September, 2016

Trystan Llŷr Griffiths makes his company début with Zurich Opera this season.

Scottish Opera Début

16th September, 2016

Elgan Llŷr Thomas makes his company and role début with Scottish Opera

'Bryn Terfel: Gwlad y Gân'

20th July, 2016

Summer Dates

12th July, 2016

Search for a star!

8th July, 2016

Bryn Terfel launches a search for the world’s best young singers. 

Harlequin’s first 30 years

27th June, 2016

Harlequin Agency began back in the summer of 1986

Doreen O’Neill: The Highlights

23rd June, 2016

With over thirty years of memories, what are Doreen’s highlights?

Harlequin Announcement

24th May, 2016

Doreen O'Neill will retire from her position as Managing Director of Harlequin Agency on 30 June.

Who's Going Where

8th April, 2016

Trystan Llŷr Griffiths, Elgan Llŷr Thomas, Andri Björn Róbertsson

Bryn Terfel on Tour

8th April, 2016

Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel tours North America

Welsh Singer Competition

7th April, 2016

Sioned Gwen Davies and Trystan Llŷr Griffiths go head to head.

ENO's Harewood Artists!

12th February, 2016

Andri Björn Róbertsson to join ENO’s Harewood Artists.

Bryn Terfel

1st December, 2015

Congratulations to Bryn Terfel on being awarded  one of the most prestigious music prizes in Spain. Following his concert with the Sinfónica de Galicia, conducted by Gareth Jones in La Coruña last April, Campoamor Theater Foundation has named him as the best concert singer in Spain. He received his award on the 19th of March 2016.

In the Spotlight

3rd November, 2015

Getting to know Welsh Bass Baritone Bryn Terfel.

Celebrating on S4C

2nd November, 2015

Bryn Terfel will reflect on his successful career on S4C this Saturday (7/11/15).

Tosca

1st November, 2015

The Wales Millennium Centre and Welsh National Opera will honour Bryn Terfel's 50th birthday.

Birthday Concert

31st October, 2015

Bryn Terfel celebrated his 50th birthday with a big concert in the Royal Albert Hall.

'Voice of Wales' in Scotland!

4th September, 2015

Tenor Trystan Llŷr Griffiths makes his operatic debut.

World Premiere

3rd September, 2015

Hannah Stone and BBC NOW perform the world première of Gareth Glyn's 'Amaterasu' at the North Wales International Music Festival this month.

Les Azuriales Opera Winner!

2nd September, 2015

Welsh tenor Elgan Llŷr Thomas won the Kerry-Keane Junior Prize at the coveted Les Azuriales Opera.

The Big Event

1st September, 2015

Shân Cothi performs outside the Wales Millennium Centre on Saturday the 12th of September at 7:30pm. 

Franz-Schubert Institut

3rd August, 2015

Accompanist Eugene Asti will be attending the prestigious Franz-Schubert-Institut as guest teacher.

Stuart Burrows Award Winner

8th July, 2015

Welsh tenor Elgan Llŷr Thomas wins the prestigious International Voice Award.

The Welsh Proms

30th June, 2015

Angharad Morgan and David Fortey will perform at this year's Welsh Proms.

In the Spotlight

29th June, 2015

We get to know baritone Adam Gilbert. 

On your Marks...

28th June, 2015

Mezzo-soprano Sioned Terry takes her singing to the sporting world

Sowing Seeds for Success

2nd June, 2015

I know what I want and I’m perfectly ready to work for it. 

900 miles from home

1st June, 2015

We get to know the Polish baritone Lukasz Karauda.

Diva Alert

31st May, 2015

Caryl Hughes will make her role debut as Cherubino with Diva Opera this season.

Good Luck

30th May, 2015

Menna Cazel will join the Junges Ensemble in September.

In the Studio

29th May, 2015

Trystan Llyr Griffiths records for Opera Rara this month.

Flying High at WNO.

6th May, 2015

Ran Arthur Braun is in great demand for Aerial, Movement and Fight direction. 

New Artist!

5th May, 2015

Harlequin is thrilled to welcome bass baritone Daniel Grice to its roster. 

Swiss Première

4th May, 2015

Andri Björn Róbertsson performs the role of Fedja Dawidowitsch Pronin in the Swiss première of the opera, Fälle. 

Getting to Know... Sioned Terry

3rd May, 2015

What got you started?
It was my grandfather that introduced me to music. 

Eurovision 2015.

27th March, 2015

A first for Harlequin – our very own Mary-Jean O’Doherty competes in the Eurovision Song Contest!

Sweeney Todd

26th March, 2015

Shân Cothi understudies Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson in English National Opera’s Sweeney Todd.

Coming Home

25th March, 2015

Leah-Marian Jones returns to WNO to sing the role of Genevieve in Debussy's Pelleas et Melisande.

A St David's Day Celebration

26th February, 2015

Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel celebrates St David's Day in a special Gala Concert at St David's Hall, Cardiff.

Masterclass

25th February, 2015

As part of Bangor Music Festival,conductor Gareth Jones will lead a public conducting master class with Patrick Rimes and the North Wales Camerata.

 

In Recital..

24th February, 2015

Pianist Eugene Asti will accompany mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly for two recitals in March.

Who's That Girl?

23rd February, 2015

Mezzo Soprano Anna Burford returns to the Royal Opera House to sing the role of Girl in John Fulljames' new production of Brecht and Weill's furiously impassioned operatic satire on consumerism, Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny.

Dathliad Dydd Gwyl Dewi

21st February, 2015

Maer bâs-bariton Cymreig Bryn Terfel yn dathlu Gŵyl Dewi mewn Cyngerdd Gala arbennig yn Neuadd Dewi Sant, Caerdydd.

Mae yna ddigwyddiad arbennig iawn yn Nghaerdydd ar Ddydd Gŵyl Dewi eleni gyda Cherddorfa a Chorws Cenedlaethol Cymreig y BBC a Chôr Ieuenctid Cymru dan arweiniad Gareth Jones, yn cael cwmni’r bâs-bariton enwog Bryn Terfel am brynhawn o Ganeuon Cymreig.

A Minute with Gwyn Hughes Jones

29th January, 2015

This month Gwyn Hughes Jones will star as Walther Von Stolzing in Wagner's The Mastersingers of Nuremberg for English National Opera. It will be Gwyn's debut in this challenging role and his first important role in the German repertoire, signifying a milestone in his career. 

Carys Davies, newsletter editor interviews Gwyn about his forthcoming appearance at the Coliseum, London.

Harlequin welcomes composer and arranger, Patrick Rimes

28th January, 2015

Patrick was Music Director for S4C's Nadolig Bryn Terfel in December and arranged the tracks for Bryn and his guests for the one-off TV Christmas Special. Guests included ground breaking folk five-piece group Calan, of which Patrick is also a member, playing the fiddle and pipes and contributing to the vocals. At 22, this was Patrick's first solo project as arranger and Musical Director for TV. With so many strings to his bow, Patrick Rimes is a name to look out for.

Coming to a Theatre Near You..

27th January, 2015

 

Angharad Morgan will be making her role debut as Marguerite in Swansea City Opera's touring production of Gounod's Faust. Scottish Opera's Highlights Tour returns and this year their former Emerging Artist Sioned Gwen Davies joins the cast. Gareth Brynmor John and Jan Capinski join ETO for their Spring tour, which includes: The Siege of Calais, Il furioso all'isola di San DomingoLa Boheme and their new commission for primary schools and families, Shackleton's Cat.

Noson Lawen!

26th January, 2015

Three of Harlequin’s artists will be recording for S4C’s flagship entertainment series, Noson Lawen, in Caernarfon this February. Mezzo Caryl Hughes, baritone Meilir Jones and Royal Harpist Hannah Stone’s performances will be broadcast on S4C from the end of November this year.

New Role in 2015!

11th December, 2014

Tenor, Gwyn Hughes Jones won’t have much time for festive celebrations this year as he will be rehearsing Walther Von Stolzing  in Wagner's The Mastersingers of Nuremberg. It will be Gwyn’s debut in this challenging role and his first significant role in the German repertoire.

HSBC Laureate 2014!

3rd December, 2014

Congratulations to Icelandic bass-baritone Andri Björn Róbertsson, who has been named one of the HSBC Laureates of the Académie du Festival d’Aix for 2014!

Accompanist David Doidge joins Welsh National Opera!

1st September, 2014

Pianist & accompanist David Doidge joins the Music Staff at Welsh National Opera this season! Having recently completed his postgraduate studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama here in Cardiff specialising as a répétiteur in opera and vocal coaching, his feet have barely touched the ground as he’s already launched into rehearsals for Bizet’s Carmen,  his first opera with the company, which stars Welsh tenor Gwyn Hughes Jones as Don José.

Caryl in Olivier Award winning ETO productions

1st May, 2014

Congratulations to Caryl Hughes and cast and production of English Touring Opera on winning the 2014 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Opera.The award was given for ETO’s ‘brave and challenging’ productions of Tippett’s King Priam and Britten’s Paul Bunyan, which are currently touring nationwide. Mezzo-soprano Caryl Hughes performs the roles of Young Paris in King Priam and Tiny in Paul Bunyan.

RAN'S STAR IS RISING

20th February, 2014

Ran Arthur Braun's "Cyberiada" for the Poznan Opera, was chosen in the Critics Top 10 Theatrical Productions of the year. This leads towards his Nomination as Best Director for the Jan Kiepura Music Theatre Awards. (The Polish Theatre Award - to be announced in the spring). 

Catrin's Wagnerian Success

1st December, 2013

Soprano Catrin Aur competed in the finals of the Wagner Society Singing Competition on December 1st at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Singing to a judging panel of Sir John Tomlinson, Elaine Padmore and Keith Warner, in what was a close-fought final, Catrin was joint winner of the competition. As the Wagner Society's press release explains . . . .

Menna is the Voice of the Future

23rd July, 2013

Song may be woven into the very fabric of the Welsh Valleys but the Voice of the Future officially belongs to Pontypridd. Soprano Menna Cazel Davies, 24, landed the title at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod collecting the International Trophy, £2,000 in prize money and an invitation to perform at one of Llangollen 2014’s evening concerts.

Bryn Terfel Unveils New Portrait

7th June, 2013

Shortly after giving a performance at Birmingham's Symphony Hall on Friday 07 June, Bryn Terfel unveiled a new portrait of him, painted by Norman Perryman.

Mary-Jean O'Doherty wins First Prize in the Paris Opera Awards

15th January, 2013

Our congratulations go to Mary-Jean O’Doherty (pictured in red, above) who has won first prize in the Paris Opera Awards.

The Young Ones

3rd January, 2013

Harlequin’s newly created Young Artists Division is headed by Sioned Jones and the seven young singers are already making the news.

GWYN AT THE MET

31st December, 2012

Tenor Gwyn Hughes Jones has just enjoyed his debut in a leading role at the Metropolitan Opera in New York as Manrico in Il Trovatore.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW WEBSITE

31st October, 2012

This is our newly re-designed and revamped website with a clean, crisp look and a number of extra features.

JOHN OWEN-JONES NEW CD

12th April, 2012

Unmasked – John Owen-Jones’ second album reveals why his devoted fanbase keep growing – his remarkable voice. A collection of popular tracks which include ‘Music Of The Night’ from The Phantom Of The Opera and a stunning version of the Bond classic ‘Thunderball’.

DANCING TO SUCCESS

14th March, 2012

Movement Director Ran Arthur Braun's Royal Opera debut has won immediate praise as this review from Opera Today illustrates