Pass on your love for Opera North…

Since its foundation in 1978, Opera North has delighted and enthralled audiences in Leeds and across the north through world-class opera and classical music.

We know from our closest supporters, friends, and audience members how music and opera have positively impacted their lives, and the lives of their children, grandchildren, friends, and communities.

However, in these uncertain times, with funding within the arts and culture sector under more pressure than ever before, we need to ensure that it is here for future generations. Whether you have been inspired by our operas, education and outreach work, or the Orchestra and Chorus of Opera North, your gift will make a lasting mark on the life of the Company, ensuring that you will be remembered alongside the work that you love. You could inspire and transform the lives of children in deprived communities, create a lifelong love of opera for new audiences, or bring a new opera production to communities across the north of England.

 

What you can support…

Those wishing to remember Opera North in their Will can leave a legacy directly to Opera North (registered charity number 511726), this gift will be directed immediately to the Company to support our work where there is the greatest need at the time. You can also leave a legacy to our Endowment fund, the Opera North Future Fund (registered charity number 1122499). The endowment has been created to support Opera North’s development, artistic aspirations, and provide security and funding well into the future.

Opera North Future Fund

 

If you would like to discuss leaving a legacy gift to Opera North, please contact development@operanorth.co.uk. We promise to respect your wishes, and to treat all correspondence and discussions in confidence. Any information you give does not involve you in any binding agreement.

The Harewood Circle

We know that some people prefer to keep their wishes private, but if you have made the decision to remember Opera North in your Will, we hope that you will let us know so that we can thank you. You will also be invited to join The Harewood Circle, an honorary group for those who are leaving a legacy to Opera North. Your generosity will be acknowledged in production programmes should you wish, and you will also receive invitations to our Annual Reception each summer.

 

FAQs

How to remember Opera North in your will

There are two types of gifts you can leave to Opera North: A Residuary Gift, which is all or a specified percentage of your estate, or a Pecuniary or Cash Gift which is a fixed amount of money.

To reach a decision, we recommend seeking legal advice. When drafting your Will, please remember to include our full name, address, and registered charity number:

Opera North Ltd, Howard Opera Centre, 8 Harrison Street, Leeds, LS1 6PA.
Registered Charity No. 511726

or

Opera North Future Fund, Howard Opera Centre, 8 Harrison Street, Leeds, LS1 6PA.
Registered Charity No. 1122499

 

If you already have a will, you can update it using a Codicil form

If you would like to update your Will, your solicitor can help you create a Codicil. This acts as an addendum which lists changes or extra gifts to your original Will.

How the gift will be used

Leaving a legacy to Opera North (registered charity number 511726), will mean that this gift will be directed immediately and unrestricted to the Company to support our work where there is the greatest need.

Leaving a legacy to our Endowment fund the Opera North Future Fund (registered charity number 1122499) will go towards supporting Opera North’s development, its artistic aspirations, and provide security and funding well into the future.

We recommend leaving a gift without restriction, which enables us to allocate your legacy to support the area of the Company with the greatest need at the time the gift is realised. This support is vital in enabling us to deliver our world-class operas, concerts, and education work.

If you wish, you can allocate your gift to a particular strand of our work. We will always endeavour to ensure that your wishes are carried out as specified, however, if for whatever reason this isn’t possible (for example if a specific programme has ended or changed) we will always ensure that the money is used for the closest possible match to your original intention.

Tax Benefits

If 10% or more of your estate is left to charity, your Inheritance Tax rate may also be reduced. We would suggest seeking further professional advice in relation to this. For further information, visit: www.gov.uk/inheritance-tax

Letting us know

A Will is a private document, but we would be delighted if you would like to let us know how we are remembered in your will, so we can thank you and keep you updated with news and updates from the Company.

Crediting your support

We like to credit everyone who remembers us in their will as part of the Harewood Circle. In recognition of the gift you have pledged you will benefit from a closer association with Opera North, with an annual reception to thank you for your lasting gift. You can also remain anonymous if you prefer.

Lasting stories

Annemarie Kremer as Norma and Luis Chapa as Pollione in Norma (2012) © Alastair Muir

In 2012, we mounted a new production of Bellini’s Norma which arose from a legacy left by Gertrude Pfaffinger.

“In an act of quite extraordinary generosity, Gertrude made a bequest to Opera North on the understanding that it would be used to mount a new production of Norma, dedicated to her memory and in homage to one of the great Normas of the past, Maria Callas. This we did with affection and an enormous sense of gratitude.”

– Richard Mantle, General Director

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