This was the first test of the new centre's acoustics with an audiance inside

Wonderbrass played to a 1,900-strong invited audience to test the Wales Millennium Centre's acoustics.

The 20-piece band were joined by the Welsh National Opera, Diversions dance company and student performers.

The curtain-raiser was ahead of the official gala opening on 26 November.

A centre spokesman said the acoustics were "deemed an overall success though tweaking and modifications will now continue until the official opening".

The audience in the Donald Gordon Theatre consisted of friends and families of centre staff and those involved in the construction project.

Centre chief executive Judith Isherwood said: "It was really emotional to see the stage filled with performers and the pit filled by musicians - it brought it all home that this is now about to become a performing arts venue rather than a construction project."

Andy Roberts, who plays in Wonderbrass said it was a "great experience" to play in the new venue in Cardiff Bay, which will be home for some of Wales' major arts companies.

"It was amazing to perform in there especially before any of the big stars did," he said.

Wonderbrass played three numbers during their performance

"We thought it was going to be a night of testing the acoustics, with lots of stops and starts, but it turned out to be a real show.

"The compere, Chris Corcoran, really made it into a proper show."

Mr Roberts, a saxophonist in the band and who also presents BBC Radio Wales' Jazz Connection show, added: "It was great to be able to have a look around the place - parts of it still look like a building site but it is very impressive," he said.

"Everyone had a great time playing there.

Acoustic tests, like the one at the WMC, are known as 'hard-hat' performance

"We were the last act to go on and went out with a bit of a bang because there was a fire alarm drill right at the end," he added.

Anthony Freud, general director of Welsh National Opera said: "Although we knew from previous tests that the sound was wonderful within an empty theatre, this was the first chance we have had to test it out with a full audience.

"Both from the stage and the auditorium, the acoustics were bright and clear."

Roy Campbell-Moore, director of Diversions dance company, which also performed on their new home stage for the first time, said: "After seven years of planning and effort, at last I was sitting there in front of big splendid WMC stage, seeing a performance of one of my own dance productions.

"It was by turn satisfying� thrilling and inspiring."

Opera star Bryn Terfel is booked to launch the venue on 26 November with a line-up of guests including Charlotte Church, Matthew Rhys, Sian Phillips, Ruthie Henshall and Jonathan Pryce.