We’re preparing a feast for all the senses this festive season, taking music of all kinds across the North and celebrating the first Christmas of our new restaurant, Kino…
Kirklees
The Orchestra of Opera North is at the heart of our celebrations, performing a festive double bill for all the family with The Nutcracker and a live score for Raymond Briggs’ classic animation The Snowman, at Huddersfield Town Hall (13 December), with another date at St George’s Hall, Bradford on 18 December.
On 15 December the ensemble is joined by the Chorus of Opera North at Dewsbury Town Hall for our much-loved Christmas Gala. Music Director of the Salzburg Landestheater Leslie Suganandarajah takes the podium for his Opera North debut including selections from Mendelssohn, more Nutcracker, Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride, plus audience carols.
Handel’s Messiah has been performed by Huddersfield Choral Society every year for well over a century and a half, with the single exception of an unavoidable interruption in 2020. On 20 and 21 December, the Orchestra returns to Huddersfield Town Hall to join them under conductor Ellie Slorach, with guest singers including Katie Bray and Dingle Yandell.
There’s one last trip to Huddersfield on 30 December in the company of guest soprano Jennifer France and conductor Christoph Altstaedt, for Viennese Whirl. A spirited selection of waltzes, polkas and galops from Vienna and beyond, including The Blue Danube, The Radetzky March and other Strauss family essentials, celebrates the coming New Year. The following day, New Year’s Eve, the ensemble moves to Hull City Hall.
Lunchtimes in the Kirklees Concert Season also get seasonal throughout December, with the University of Huddersfield Brass Band heralding the festivities at Huddersfield Town Hall on 5 December before moving to Dewsbury on 7 December. On Thursday 15 December, Huddersfield plays host to the Huddersfield Youth Choirs, joined by David Pipe at the organ in carols and Christmas solos.
Young players, young listeners
The Orchestra’s extensive education and early years work steps up for Christmas, as 13 players perform a selection of festive treats centring on The Nutcracker in the Howard Assembly Room on 10 December, accompanied by beautiful projections from animator Tom Scott. With a relaxed atmosphere and a chance to meet and chat to the players at the end of the performance, the magic of live music at close quarters is an unforgettable gift for young ears.
Members of the Orchestra will guide the young musicians of Opera North’s Winter Orchestra Academy over three intensive days’ rehearsals at the Company’s central Leeds base from 19 December. Together with special guest soprano Katie Bird, they’ll show off what they’ve learned for Christmas shoppers outside Leeds’ John Lewis store on 21 December.
On 17 December the Orchestra’s harpist Céline Saout joins Opera North’s Children’s Chorus, Young Voices and Youth Chorus to perform a selection of music and dramatic extracts by Benjamin Britten, Howard Blake and more in the Opera North Youth Company Winter Performance at Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall, University of Leeds.
Howard Assembly Room
Due to rail strikes, we’re very sorry that The Tallis Scholars’ sold out Howard Assembly Room date on 16 December has been cancelled. But the decorations are up and there are more opportunities to join us for festive concerts in our beautifully restored Victorian performance space:
On 17 December, Lau accordionist and Ivor Novello Award-winning composer Martin Green gathers together a band of friends for a new Opera North commission, Lighting the Dark. Collecting some of the older Yuletide music and stories and a carol or two, he is joined by Ultan O’Brien of Irish-Nordic folk heroes Slow Moving Clouds (fiddle); composer and improviser Laura Jurd (trumpet); Danielle Price (tuba) and the brilliant young Glaswegian trombonist Anoushka Nanguy. On 22 December the show moves to Gateshead as part of the Sage’s Christmas programme.
More folk luminaries dig deep into the traditions and lore of winter in Awake Arise at the Howard Assembly Room on 18 December. Award-winning trio Lady Maisery (Hannah James, Rowan Rheingans and Hazel Askew) are joined by Jimmy Aldridge and Sid Goldsmith to reflect on the hope and joy music can bring to us in the darkest season.
Opera North and South Asian Arts-uk get together again for Winter Solstice on 21 December, following the two companies’ ecstatically-received autumn production of Orpheus. Master dilruba player Kirpal Singh Panesar from the Orpheus ensemble comes together with talented rabab player Saphwat Simab and Greek composer, sound designer and lyra player Dimitris Menexopoulos for an inspired, immersive concert. With visuals and a soundscape evoking the cold clear nights in the mountains of the Mediterranean and the foothills of the Himalayas, it promises another meeting of musical cultures in celebration of the ancient spirit of this time of year.
Harewood House
A second Opera North commission for Martin Green, Tannenbaum, can be experienced as part of Harewood House’s festive Long Live the Christmas Tree! display. Running until Monday 2 January 2023, the installation brings a contemporary festive twist to Harewood’s State Floor, as trees created by artists and makers conjure the playfulness, joy and warmth of the season. At the heart of Green’s contribution in the grand Picture Gallery is the distinctive melody of O Tannenbaum, also known as The Red Flag, moving around the room in spatialised sound.
Looking forward to its first Christmas, our New Briggate restaurant Kino has announced a new winter menu from residents MorMor. Seasonal delights include slow-cooked rabbit, maple roasted cauliflower, and seared scallops; and New Year’s Eve will be celebrated with live music from jazz singer Susie Chambers, and a complimentary glass of fizz for all diners. Opening hours have been extended throughout November and December to include Tuesdays from 5pm – 10pm, and a Christmas party menu for tables of 6 or more is available until 30 December.
