Leader of the Orchestra (Concertmaster)

WNO is seeking an exceptional Leader of the Orchestra.

Welsh National Opera shares the power of live opera and performance with audiences and communities across Wales and England.

Boasting a diverse range of artistic activities, from grand opera to chamber work, WNO Orchestra is an exciting ensemble of artistic excellence.
In recent years, WNO has given critically acclaimed new productions of Britten’s Peter Grimes (2025) and Death in Venice (2024). WNO Orchestra enjoys a busy concert programme, including an international reputation with invitations to the Janáček Festival in Brno (2022) and opening the Prague Spring Festival (2023.)

The Company is at a particularly exciting point in time, having welcomed new co-Artistic Directors Adele Thomas and Sarah Crabtree to the business in January 2025. The Company is also in the process of recruiting a new Music Director, following a decade under the Artistic Leadership of Tomáš Hanus. Previous Music Directors have included Carlo Rizzi and Lothar Koenigs.

Audition requirements will be communicated to successful candidates after CV shortlisting.

Applicants shortlisted for auditions will be invited to an audition in person in Cardiff – week commencing 12 October 2026. This will consist of screened and unscreened auditions. Selected candidates may then be invited to play with the orchestra on the same day as part of the audition process.

Applicants shortlisted for trial periods with the Orchestra will be invited for trials commencing in December 2026.