To take us through the spring Opera North have a varied selection of events throughout the county catering for all ages and tastes.
First up is Street Scene which continues at the Leeds Grand Theatre until 28th February when it moves to Theatre Royal Newcastle, The Lowry at Salford Quays and ends at Theatre Royal Nottingham. It is written by Kurt Weill and is set in a tenement block in New York. I have done a full review on this work so please have a read to see if it is your thing.
The Marriage of Figaro is the second opera in this year’s winter season which continues into spring. Tickets are available for the final three performances at the Grand on 22nd, 26th and 29th February before following the same route as Street Scene. Once again, I have reviewed this work so you can read before you book.
One of my favourite evenings out lately was the Whistle Stop Opera: The Marriage of Figaro, which was a pared down version of the full work and benefits no end from being performed in small spaces not normally used for this medium. It is touring the North-east and North-west at the moment but comes home to Cast, Doncaster on 4th March and Viaduct Theatre, Halifax on 7th March. As you will see from my article, it is well worth the trip.
The chilling Britten opera The Turn of the Screw is at Leeds Grand Theatre until 27th February and then joins its mates, Figaro and Street Scene in Newcastle, Salford and Nottingham. This is not a laugh a minute but a dark brooding mystery and brilliantly done.
The Doctor Seuss story, Green Eggs and Ham, has already finished its short run in Leeds but is being performed in some schools around the city. It is also on tour in the North-east and Lancashire before ending its run with two performances at the National Centre for Early Music in York on 22nd March. Sounds like a good Sunday family trip.
Still looking out of town, Sunday, 23rd February sees the World Premier of Arya: A Concerto for Sitar and Orchestra written and performed by Leeds based sitar player Jasdeep Singh Degun at Huddersfield Town Hall. There are two more conventionally instrumented orchestral pieces as well. It then goes on tour to Durham Cathedral, Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester and ends at City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Centre. The extra pieces on the tour dates differ from those at Huddersfield.
Dewsbury Town Hall is staging a ‘romantic, light-hearted lunchtime programme for violin and piano’ on 18th March. It sounds much better than a bag of chips and has far fewer calories. This conclusion to their Concert Season features Andrew Long, Associate Leader of the Orchestra of Opera North on violin and Head of Music, David Cowan on piano.
Speaking of Orchestra of Opera North, on 26th March they are at Huddersfield Town Hall with Orchestra of Opera North: A Space Odyssey which moves to Leeds Town Hall on 28th March. There are works by Richard Strauss and Rachmaninov.
29th March sees the Orchestra join with the massed voices of Inspiration at Leeds Town Hall to present West End and Broadway which, unsurprisingly, consists of songs from musicals currently running in those areas of London and New York. Expect numbers from Tina Turner, Carole King and, of course, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Over the Easter weekend, on 11th April, Terry Davies conducts the Orchestra of Opera North at Leeds Town Hall in Room on the Broom and The Highway Rat. These works are based on Julia Donaldson’s books illustrated by Axel Scheffler. There are performances at 14.30 and 16.15, the first of which is a relaxed performance.
Whatever you decide to see I hope that you enjoy it. Look out for my reviews of Arya and Green Eggs and Ham coming soon.
I will also be giving you the heads up about the productions in 2020/21 Season. Looks great!
Unless otherwise stated, all photographs provided by Opera North
Tyke It To The Limit 