Mid Wales Opera (MWO) celebrated a resounding success with its OpenStages 2026 project last weekend, culminating in two fully staged performances of Dido and Aeneas at Brecon Cathedral on Saturday 11 April, alongside a special Musical Soirée at Hay Castle on Thursday 9 April. Both events sold out in record time, with demand for the cathedral performances so high that two additional release of tickets had to be created, with a waiting list introduced at Theatr Brycheiniog.
Read more about the 2026 project with feedback from the creative team and participants.
Rian Evans, The Guardian
“Created in just a week with a cast of rising stars and amateur singers, Mid Wales Opera’s production – and its heart-wrenching ending – is a remarkable achievement”
Mike Smith, Arts Scene in Wales
Under the characteristically assured musical direction of Jonathan Lyness and the deft, intelligent staging of Richard Studer, the result was remarkable for its clarity, polish and emotional truth… More importantly, what emerged felt fresh, generous and vividly alive…”
The culmination of an inspirational week of music-making and rehearsals in Brecon and Hay, involving professionals, students and amateur musicians, the opera was sung in its original English libretto and accompanied by MWO’s OpenStages orchestra.
The tragic tale of the love between Dido, Queen of Carthage and Aeneas, destroyed by the malevolent interference of a sorceress and her spirits, plays out in spell-binding songs and stirring and moving choruses, leading inevitably to Dido’s heart-aching final lament.
When I am laid in earth, may my wrongs create no trouble in thy breast. Remember me, but ah! forget my fate…
Brecon Cathedral
Saturday11th April 2026
3pm Relaxed performance £5
7pm – £12 / Under 21 in fulltime education £5
Duration 70 minutes
Dido: Kathy Macaulay
Aeneas: Joshua Lane
Belinda: Alaw Grug Evans
Second Woman: Heini Hughes
Sorceress: Louise Wood
First Witch: Grace Wexler
Second Witch/Spirit: Erin Wynne Thomas
Sailor: Sebastien Sgouraditis
Soprano: Julie Bulman, Amber Harris, Catherine Hughes, Claire Jones, Suzanne Moore Osley, Rachel Pointer, Ann Richards
Alto: Hilary Bright, Kay Davies, Lucy Green, Alison Havard, Jane Haworth, Anna Marr, Christine Preston, Gill Raikes, Cath Roberts, Katherine Taylor, Claire Wilcox
Tenor: Merlin Blockley, Duncan Fisher, Stephen Goodridge, Nic Groombridge, Finn Over
Bass: Theo Brixey-Williams, David Foster, Shelden Mathieson, Mike Penn, Neil Schofield, Michael Wilcox
Leader: Elenid Owen
Violin: David Cooper, Wendy Lund, Sue Brown, Olivia Geddes, Jean Lennox, Matthew Silver, Jenny Cavan, Stella Elliot
Viola: Hugh Dunthorne, Dorcas Wedmore
Cello: Ann Downing, Patricia Price, Annie Nethercott, Clare Fisher
Double Bass: Jennifer Morris
Music Director/Conductor: Jonathan Lyness
Director/Designer: Richard Studer
Production Manager/Lighting: Bridget Wallbank
Costume supervisor: Jill Rolfe
Production Assistant: Amy Head
Marketing: Liz Morrison
Adminstrative Officer: Jessica Stimpson
