See some First Night photosSorry Max, but we beat you to it.
We've seen the golden armadillo emerging in the bay over the last few years, but to actually perform at the Wales Millennium Centre a whole six weeks before its official opening is quite special.
Monday 11 October is a date we'll remember for a long time - an event billed as an Acoustic Test in front of an invited audience to check all the sound levels are just right in time for the first paying customers at the end of November.
The sight of the illuminated inscription hits you as you approach the bay from James Street and, while there's still a lot of work going on inside the building, the foyer cleared of its hoardings is pretty impressive.
To be honest, I was expecting something resembling a technical rehearsal with a lot of stopping and starting and hanging around.
But with comedian Chris Corcoran acting as compere, it felt like a proper show - even the acoustic "whoops" were all part of the entertainment.
Performers on the night ranged from WMC residents such as Welsh National Opera and Diversions dance company, to invited groups including ourselves, pianist Malcolm Forbes-Peckham, and jazz students from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, featuring vocalist Jessica Wright (pictured left).
After we closed the show with three Wonderbrass favourites, the evening ended on a curious but necessary note - a full-scale fire drill to evacuate the building.
Even this created one of the most memorable visions of the night - streams of people gathering on the plaza outside a landmark building - I couldn't help but be reminded of the Sydney Opera House.
Here's hoping the Wales Millennium Centre will prove to be just as big an attraction - roll on November 27th when Wonderbrass will be back here with many others for a "proper" gig the day after the venue officially opens...
Andy Roberts is a member of Wonderbrass and producer of the BBC South East Wales website
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your comments
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Pedr ap Griffiths from Cardiff
A wonderful evening but nothing from the greatest of our native arts - poetry. Maybe next time.
Angharad from Cardiff
I too was lucky to be at the acoustic test. The building and the auditorium is absolutely stunning. Now, I can't wait to see the new Assembly building finished too.
Janine and Dom Cincotta from Melbourne
We were at the sound test last night and thought that the show was really well put together considering it was a trial run! Chris Corcoran made the night - truly a talented guy to make a laugh out of everthing. Hope he gets a big gig at the centre one day! Thought the Diversions dance was excellent and the bands were great too. Thanks to the staff (and our friend Nia who invited us) for their hard work at it will all pay off! Not so sure it will be as famous as Sydney Opera House..but there we are..there's no harm in trying!!!
Louise Price from Cardiff
Just to say how wonderful the evening turned out to be. Thankyou Opera - the audience will hear every word from the stage.
Martin Gifford, BBC Music Dept
I think it did exactly what it says on the box. It's a Lyric theatre with acoustics to match - ideal for spoken word and high tech amplification shows from the West end etc. Solo piano - no no no. Orchestral concert - no no, at least from the pit. Opera - the audience will hear every word from the stage.
Did you see this special preview concert?
What did you think?
