THREE new productions will be part of Welsh National Opera’s (WNO) 2014/2015 programme, which brings eight operas to Southampton in the next 12 months.

The autumn 2014 season, with the theme of Liberty or Death, includes new productions of Rossini’s William Tell and Moses in Egypt, which will be staged within the same scenic environment.

An epic political and romantic work and Rossini’s last opera William Tell is the story of the Swiss struggle for independence against the repression of Austria; a narrative which spans ages and shares themes and ideas with many worldwide battles for national liberation.

Completing the autumn season will be a revival of Bizet’s Carmen, which tells the story of a free spirit, who would rather die than surrender her liberty.

Spellbound is the theme for spring 2015, which will highlight the natural affinity between music and magic with revivals of the enchanting operas Hansel & Gretel and The Magic Flute. Both operas transport the audience into a world of magic, make-believe and delight, but are also ultimately about the power of rationalism over magic.

Completing the spring 2015 season will be a new production, Chorus! Featuring soprano Lesley Garrett CBE performing alongside WNO Chorus will be a journey through the rich repertoire of operatic choral music.

Welsh National Opera returns to The Mayflower Theatre in November and March.