Cardiff is the home of the acclaimed Welsh National Opera. It enjoys a particularly good reputation for the excellence of its orchestra and chorus and the originality and vitality of its productions. The company plays at the New Theatre and at the Wales Millenium Centre as well as at various other venues throughout Wales. The city is favoured with another professional orchestra in the BBC National Orchestra & Chorus of Wales who have regular concerts at the Wales Millenium Centre and St David’s Hall as well as many other Welsh venues.  Amateur players have the opportunity of joining the Cardiff Symphony Orchestra. The South Glamorgan Youth Orchestra has done well in national competitions and there are many more orchestras, brass bands and choirs.

There is also a vibrant fringe culture flourishing in a number of smaller venues and arts centres. The Point is a converted church and host to independent contemporary live music, and the Bute Theatre is part of the Welsh College of Music & Drama, with performances by students, staff and visiting artistes. Cafe Jazz is the City’s longest running jazz venue with live music every weeknight and the Glee Club on Mermaid Quay offers live comedy and live music.

In Cardiff Bay, the 12-screen UCI multiplex cinema at the Atlantic Wharf Leisure Centre offers state of the art cinema entertainment. Cardiff also has the Showcase Cinema on the Treforest Industrial Estate, the 15-screen UGC on Mary Ann Street in the city centre and the Ster Century cinema complex at Millennium Plaza includes nightclubs and a restaurant. Some of the suburbs have their own cinemas. St David’s Hall and the Chapter Cinema in the Arts Centre  occasionally show films.