Tag Archives: Leeds Town Hall

Composer: Kevin Puts Libretto: Mark Campbell Conductor: Nicholas Kok Director: Tim Albery Reviewer: Ron Simpson Opera North has established a tradition in recent years of so-called “concert” or “semi-staged” performances in Leeds Town Hall that often have a more emotional impact than fully staged productions. This is certainly the case with Tim Albery’s magnificent production of Kevin Puts’ remarkable first ...

Music: Adrian Sutton Writer: Michael Morpurgo Songs: John Tams Drawings and artwork: Rae Smith Conductor: David Angus Narrators: Michael Morpurgo, Juliet Stevenson Performed by: Orchestra of Opera North, St Peter's Singers Reviewer: Rich Jevons Michael Morpurgo's War Horse has been seen in both theatre and film to great success, not to mention being a best-seller. But War Horse: The Story in ...

Conductor: Vasily Petrenko Composers: Tchaikovsky, Korngold, Mussorgsky Reviewer: Rich Jevons The first part of this triple bill sees Tchaikovsky looking at forbidden love, notably Francesca's adultery which led to her incarceration in Dante's Hell. There is a brooding intro which then stirs into a tempest of frenzied and frenetic strings. And there are more reflective and solemn moments. But love ...

Performed by: BBC Philharmonic, Leeds Festival Chorus, City of Glasgow Chorus, Cantabile Choir Composed by: Benjamin Britten Reviewed by: Rich Jevons Some 40 years on from its original commission, Benjamin Britten's haunting, and at times harrowing, War Requeim still packs a powerful punch. Britten combines Wilfred Owen's war poetry with the Latin Missa pro defunctis to great effect. As Simon Lindley ...

Composer: Hector Berlioz Conductor: Simon Wright Reviewer: Dawn Smallwood Opera North is reputed for their variety of operas and other works which are hosted season after season.  Their orchestra and choirs, however, are a success in their own right and are regular features in the Leeds International Concert Seasons.  On this occasion Orchestra of Opera North plays Hector Berlioz’s The ...

Reviewer: Rich Jevons Some two years on since Marc Almond came to Leeds Town Hall to celebrate the release of The Velvet Trail which was followed by a recital of torch songs with the pop orchestra of Leeds College of Music, we are now treated to Almond alongside a vocal chorus, strings and brass section with the Musical Director at ...

Music: Giacomo Puccini (Act III – Franco Alfano) Director: Annabel Arden Reviewer: Dawn Smallwood Turandot is last of Puccini’s operas and is based on Carlo Gozzi’s play of the same name.  This season, Opera North is staging this new production in a concert format following the successful Wagner’s Ring Cycle last summer.  This is an opportunity to appreciate Puccini’s rich ...

Conductor: Adrian Leaper Soloist: Jack Liebeck (violin) Reviewer: Ron Simpson The final concert of the Orchestra of Opera North’s Kirklees season was repeated at Leeds Town Hall as part of the Leeds International Orchestral Season. Three major pieces, all composed in the half century from 1880, explored in different ways the life and landscapes of the remoter and more rugged ...