Welcome
Welcome
A contemporary space located in a classical Victorian building in the heart of Leeds, the Howard Assembly Room brings new commissions, unique collaborations and rare UK performances from writers, artists, classical and contemporary musicians to the north of England.
Over 15,000 visitors have experienced the venue in some capacity since its opening 12 months ago, seeing anything from classical recitals to experimental gigs, from film screenings and author talks to interactive art installations, and attracting 43% of Opera North's new audience overall. It is also the rehearsal home of the Orchestra of Opera North and a base for much of the education work that Opera North undertakes.
Celebrating its first anniversary in January 2010, the aim remains to bring unique ‘stand alone’ events and live performances from across the world to Leeds. Mixing together artistic genres and making new connections between musicians and styles of music, offering audiences many performances that can’t be seen elsewhere.
The Programme
Audiences will be taken on a memorable journey, from the birth of the modern technological age in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Victorian England through to an exploration of the political and emotional impacts of the miners’ strike in 1985. Acclaimed writer and director, Mike Leigh, introduces the Oscar-winning film, Topsy-Turvey, with a question and answer session afterwards. Inspired by Opera North’s new production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Ruddigore, the weekend also features The Lost Chord, a delectable evening of strange tales, Victorian obsession and poignant parlour songs by Tim Hopkins. John Lill, one of Britain’s most revered pianist and master of the 19th Century piano masterpieces, marks the Chopin bi-centenary with an exclusive Chopin concert programme. The programme also features the world premiere of Songs at the Year’s End, a new song-cycle for brass band, choir and soloists, by acclaimed poet, Ian McMillan and composer, Hugh Nankivell.
The season ends in the present day with Voices, a series of concerts and events celebrating the power and beauty of the human voice. Led by Janet Cardiff’s re-working of Thomas Tallis’ 16th Century choral masterpiece, Spem in Alium, showing in the UK for the first time in five years. The series also looks at early Renaissance sacred vocal music, as well as contemporary folk, world and jazz.
A series of workshops, free Twilight concerts and special family performances and younger audiences - inclduing The Forest, are part of a full season.
To download the full programme of events click here.
