 Choral singing became increasingly popular in 19th @-@ century Wales , principally owing to the rise of the <unk> as a symbol of its culture . The first Welsh National Opera Company was formed in 1890 . A local newspaper commented that it was remarkable that " a race of people to whom vocal music is a ruling passion should not generations ago have established a permanent national opera " . The company gave performances of operas by the Welsh composer Joseph Parry in Cardiff and on tour in Wales . The company , predominantly amateur with some professional guest singers from the London stage , gave numerous performances of Parry 's <unk> and <unk> , composed in 1878 and 1890 respectively . An American tour was planned , but the company folded , and Parry 's final opera , The Maid of <unk> <unk> , was given at Cardiff by the Moody @-@ Manners Opera Company in 1902 . 
