Tag Archives: Opera North

The Rite of Spring Music: Igor Stravinsky Choreographer: Jeanguy Saintus Gianni Schicchi Music: Giacomo Puccini Director: Christopher Alden Conductor: Garry Walker Reviewer: Dawn Smallwood This production marks the first-ever collaboration between Opera North and Phoenix Dance Company.  Garry Walker conducts both Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring and Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi in the company of Opera North’s orchestra.  In another first, The ...

Musicians: Fitzwilliam String Quartet                   Opera North String Quartet Reviewer: Ron Simpson The Fitzwilliam String Quartet’s appearance at the Howard Assembly Room was celebratory in mood, notably in the stunning performance of Shostakovich’s String Octet with the Opera North String Quartet which concluded the evening, the perfect antidote to any mistaken belief ...

Music/Libretto: Leoš Janáček Director: Tim Albery Reviewer: Dawn Smallwood Janáček’s Katya Kabanova returns to Opera North’s repertoire for the winter season after this production premiered in 2007. This three-act opera is based on V. Červinka’s translation of Ostrovsky’s The Storm which exposes the societal attitudes among the Russian’s merchant class. Set by the Volga River, the opera is about Katya ...

Music: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Libretto: Emanuel Schikaneder Director: James Brining Reviewer: Dawn Smallwood This popular two-act opera makes a return after ten years, albeit a new production where James Brining, Leeds Playhouse’s artistic director, makes his opera directing debut. The Magic Flute premiered in 1791, set to Emanuel Schikaneder’s libretto - loosely linked to fairy stories written at the time.  Unlike ...

Orchestra: Orchestra of Opera North Choirs: Chorus of Opera North              Opera North Youth Chorus              Opera North Young Voices Conductor: Garry Walker Reviewer: Ron Simpson Besides superb musical standards in a variety of forms and innovative stage productions, one of the main reasons for Opera North’s huge success – ...

Writer: Based on the books by Julia Donaldson Composer: René Aubry Conductor: Terry Davies Reviewer: Laura Stimpson Animations based on books written by Julia Donaldson are becoming a Christmas tradition, thanks to the BBC having released a new one, aired on Christmas day for the last few years.  What a great opportunity presented at Christmas time by The Orchestra of ...

Writer: Jessica Walker Musical Director: Joseph Atkins Director: Jacqui Honess-Martin Reviewer: Ron Simpson Opera North’s commemoration of the end of the Great War peaks with two premieres in two nights: the world premiere of Not Such Quiet Girls and the UK premiere of Silent Night. For these, the Chorus is divided by gender and in Not Such Quiet Girls, a ...

Writer: Music by Franz Lehár Book/Lyrics: Victor Léon and Leo Stein  Adaptor: Kit Hesketh-Harvey and Giles Havergala Director: Giles Havergal Conductor: Martin Andre Reviewer: Dave Cunningham For their current visit to The Lowry opera North seem to have discovered relevance. A highly contemporary interpretation of Tosca is followed by a sharply up-to-date adaptation of Franz Lehár’s The Merry Widow by Kit ...