The Welsh National Opera has announced that Adele Thomas and Sarah Crabtree will jointly assume the roles of General Director and CEO starting in January. Thomas, known for her directorial work at prestigious venues like Glyndebourne, Opernhaus Zürich, and the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, as well as her acclaimed productions such as "Bazajet" and "Berenice," will direct a new production of "Rigoletto" for WNO. Meanwhile, Crabtree, currently Creative Producer at The Royal Opera House, brings her expertise from leading the Linbury Theatre since 2017.

In a joint statement, Thomas and Crabtree expressed their dedication to opera's transformative power, emphasizing its raw vocal impact, live performance vitality, and narrative grandeur. They highlighted WNO's unique heritage rooted in exceptional singing, aiming to elevate the company to stand confidently among the world's premier opera houses. Their vision includes expanding opera's accessibility and visibility, attracting a diverse audience in Wales and beyond, while honoring and nurturing WNO's existing supporters. They share a commitment to advancing opera amid industry challenges, guided by WNO's founding belief in opera's democratic essence, affirming that opera is truly for everyone.