Norma: Inside Opera

Assistant Director Karolina Sofulak, conductor Oliver von Dohnányi and a member of the cast will discuss Opera North's new production of Bellini's best-known opera with Editor Stuart Leeks

Madama Butterfly

This touching story of innocent love crushed amidst two utterly different cultures resonates as strongly as ever in today’s world. This exquisite production, with its beautiful set and costumes, intensifies the emotion in an already heartbreaking opera.

Sung in Italian with English titles
The performance lasts approximately 2 hours 30 minutes

Giulio Cesare

Erotic entanglements, intrigue, battles and murder: the passionate romance between Julius Caesar and Cleopatra has inspired the imagination of artists across the centuries. Experience all the colour, drama, passion and epic sweep of a Hollywood blockbuster in this timeless new production of Handel’s great masterpiece.

Egypt, ancient times. Cleopatra uses all her considerable wiles to persuade Caesar to join her in an alliance against her brutish brother Ptolemy, with whom she rules the country. Plots and counter-plots ensue before Caesar and Cleopatra emerge finally triumphant in both love and war.

Sung in Italian with English titles
Lasts approximately 3 hours

Music: Vieux Farka Touré: The Secret Tour

Vieux Farka Touré’s rise to become one of today’s most celebrated African guitarists culminated in his 2010 performance at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa before a television audience of a billion people.

With his third studio album The Secret, he has now fully emerged from the shadow of his legendary father Ali Farka Touré. His unique style incorporates rock, Latin music, and African blues into the West African musical language he inherited from his father. It creates a captivating brew of fervent melody, buzzing guitars and timeless Malian soul.

Support act: David Broad

The Orchestra of Opera North: Scott of the Antarctic

When Vaughan Williams wrote the music for the 1948 film Scott of the Antarctic he confirmed his status as one of the 20th century’s great film composers. His Sinfonia Antartica was written using themes from the film music, and retains much of the remarkable colour and drama of the original score. As our celebration of the 100th anniversary of the heroic quest of Scott and his men, we present this great work in a dramatised version with narrator and specially commissioned film using images from the original expedition. An unique, unmissable event.

Conductor: Richard Farnes
Piano: Danny Driver
Narrator: Geoffrey Dolton
Huddersfield University Choir

Dancer in the Dark

While filming DANCER IN THE DARK Trier famously drove Björk to near madness as a result of his ruthless approach to direction. The end result is a truly remarkable performance which won her the Best Actress award at Cannes in 2000 as well as the Best Film Award for the film.

1964, America. Czech immigrant Selma (Björk) is working at a small pressing plant, trying to build a life for herself and her young son. Life is hard but Selma has a secret passion for American musicals which keeps her going in even the darkest of moments.

Part of a mini series of three titles celebrating strong female characters on the silver screen in conjunction with the installation FIVE TRUTHS by Katie Mitchell.

FIVE TRUTHS is showing at the Howard Assembly Room from the 05th – 12th February 2012. For further details: www.howardassemblyroom.co.uk

Performance: Cautionary Tales!

Opera North’s witty adaptation of Belloc’s deliciously macabre Cautionary Tales for Children was a big hit with audiences and critics when it first premiered in March 2011.

Bad boys and girls including lying Matilda, runaway Jim and daredevil George entertain you with their disobedient ways and dreadful ends. Full of colourful tunes and stories, this is a lively short piece of musical theatre for all the family and an ideal introduction to opera.

Suitable for children aged 5+ and their families. Duration: approx 60 mins.

Based on Hilaire Belloc’s verses
Composed by Errollyn Wallen
Adapted and directed by Pia Furtado