The Welsh National Opera (WNO) has announced it will cut ticket prices by up to 37 per cent as it moves into its new facilities at the Wales Millennium Centre, in Cardiff Bay.

Top prices will be reduced from £47 to £35, while 250 of the cheapest seats will be available for just £5.

Overall, a third of the seats will be made available for £20 or less.

Announcing the ticket prices yesterday, WNO’s general director, Anthony Freud, said: “We have been focusing for many years on developing audiences for opera and on proving that common preconceptions about opera can be misplaced.

The slashing of prices has been made possible by WNO’s move to the Millennium centre. which will see its capacity dramatically increase by 68 per cent to 1,750 people. It is currently performing at the New Theatre, Cardiff.

Freud said: “After almost sixty years without a home theatre, we will open our first show in the Millennium Centre on 18 February 2005.

“Bearing in mind that we have nearly 70 per cent more seats to sell each night, we want to reach more people while improving the financial sustainability of the company.”

The Wales Millennium Centre will also host ballet, dance and theatre, after its opening on the Cardiff waterfront in November this year.

The WNO visits London’s Sadler’s Wells this week, as it begins its spring season, which includes a new production of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, directed by James McDonald. Details: www.wno.org.uk