Highlights
All Performances
Pagliacci (Clowns)
Ruggero Leoncavallo's shot of pure operatic adrenaline
Part of The Little Greats
In the thrilling curtain-raiser to the season, Leoncavallo carves a ‘bleeding slice of life’ out of the tale of a touring theatre troupe preparing for a show. Canio is eaten up with jealous suspicion of his wife, the leading lady. When he learns the truth of her faithlessness, the performance of the play is derailed by real life passion spun out of control, and the stage becomes the scene of a violent reckoning. Pagliacci is an operatic rollercoaster, hurtling towards a bloody climax that unfolds in front of the shocked on-stage audience.
Strap in tight and get ready to career from laughter to horrified awe as comedy and tragedy collide amidst scintillating melodies. Pagliacci includes some of the most famous music ever written for Italian opera, including the heartbroken Canio’s ‘show must go on’ aria ‘Vesti la giubba’ and Tonio’s Prologue.
Running Time
Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes
Language
Sung in Italian with English titles
The Music
See what else is on the same date and build your own double bill:
| Pagliacci / L'enfant et les sortilèges | Sat 16 Sep | Leeds | |
| Pagliacci / L'enfant et les sortilèges | Sat 23 Sep | Leeds | Pre-perf Talk |
| Pagliacci / Cavalleria rusticana | Sat 30 Sep | Leeds | |
| Pagliacci / Cavalleria rusticana | Thu 12 Oct | Leeds | Pre-perf Talk |
| Pagliacci / Osud | Wed 18 Oct | Leeds | Pre-perf Talk |
| Pagliacci / Cavalleria rusticana | Sat 21 Oct | Leeds | Pre-perf Talk |
| Pagliacci / Cavalleria rusticana | From Thu 26 Oct | On tour | Fixed double bill |
In Leeds, book tickets for individual Little Greats separately.
View full Leeds performance schedule >>
L´enfant et les sortilèges (The Child and the Magic Spells)
16 Sep - 18 Nov 2017
Nationwide
Touring 5 theatres
L´enfant et les sortilèges (The Child and the Magic Spells)
Maurice Ravel's bewitching childhood fantasy
Part of The Little Greats
A naughty child assaults everything in his room after he is told off by his mother for not doing his homework. Gradually, the objects around him – furniture, clocks, crockery – come to life. Out in the garden, events take an even more disturbing turn when all the trees and animals rebuke him for the injuries he has done them in the past. Can the child redeem himself?
With colourful characters including a pair of singing cats, a teapot and china cup duo, a talking armchair, a tree-frog and a squirrel, Colette’s magical words are set by Ravel to a spellbinding musical score. This darkly brilliant opera celebrates the mysteries of childhood and will amuse and enchant adults and children alike.
L'enfant et les sortilèges is our schools' matinee. For familes: try our interactive pre-show workshop.
Running Time
Approximately 45 minutes
Language
Sung in French with English titles
The Music
See what else is on the same date and build your own double bill:
| Pagliacci / L'enfant et les sortilèges | Sat 16 Sep | Leeds | |
| Pagliacci / L'enfant et les sortilèges | Sat 23 Sep | Leeds | Pre-perf Talk |
| Trial by Jury / L'enfant et les sortilèges | Fri 29 Sep | Leeds | Pre-perf Talk |
| L'enfant et les sortilèges (Matinee) | Sat 7 Oct | Leeds | |
| Osud / L'enfant et les sortilèges | Fri 20 Oct | Leeds | |
| L'enfant et les sortilèges / Osud | From Sat 28 Oct | On tour | In a fixed double bill |
In Leeds, book tickets for individual Little Greats separately. View full Leeds performance schedule >>
Little Singers
Opera North Early Years Programme
Suitable for 0 - 4 years
Sing songs, explore instruments, play games and have fun with music in our weekly sessions. Sessions aim to support the development and well-being of children under the age of 4 and their families through high-quality musical experiences and activities.
Led by a professional musician, all workshops introduce live singing and music-making in a fun and creative environment.
We run two sessions at the Howard Assembly Room on Mondays:
- 0-4s at 10.15am
- Babies under 1 at 11.30am
Both are suitable for babies but the earlier session is perfect if you’ve got several children under four as it keeps everyone entertained!
We also run Little Singers sessions (for 0-4s) in other areas of Leeds:
| Morley Town Hall | Mondays at 11.15am | Mon 18 Sept - 11 Dec (ex 23 Oct) |
| Colton Primary School | Thursdays at 10am | Thur 14 Sept - 14 Dec (ex 26 Oct) |
For more information, contact Alex Bradshaw on alex.bradshaw@operanorth.co.uk
I love bringing my child; the space is beautiful and has a lovely atmosphere. It is brilliant that we have the chance to sing with a professional vocal artist. Coming to the sessions have given me more confidence to sing with my child at home.
— Little Singers parent
Follow our Little Singers playlist:
Cavalleria rusticana
Pietro Mascagni's red-blooded tale of jealousy and revenge
Part of The Little Greats
Cavalleria rusticana tells the tale of a soldier who has returned from the army to find his lover has married another man. He consoles himself by seducing another girl, even though he is still consumed by his obsessive desire for his first love. This powder keg of passions is primed to ignite at Easter in the midst of a small community where the church maintains an iron grip on the souls of its people.
Mascagni lavishes gorgeously lyrical melodies on a gritty drama of betrayal, jealousy and violent revenge. With a score that includes the famous Easter Hymn and Intermezzo, Cavalleria rusticana is thought by many to be the very essence of Italian opera.
Running Time
Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes
Language
Sung in Italian with English titles
The Music
See what else is on the same date and build your own double bill:
| Cavalleria rusticana / Trial by Jury | Wed 27 Sep | Leeds | |
| Pagliacci / Cavalleria rusticana | Sat 30 Sep | Leeds | |
| Cavalleria rusticana / Trial by Jury | Sat 7 Oct | Leeds | Pre-perf Talk |
| Pagliacci / Cavalleria rusticana | Thu 12 Oct | Leeds | Pre-perf Talk |
| Osud / Cavalleria rusticana | Sat 14 Oct | Leeds | Pre-perf Talk |
| Cavalleria rusticana / Trouble in Tahiti | Thu 19 Oct | Leeds | |
| Pagliacci / Cavalleria rusticana | Sat 21 Oct | Leeds | Pre-perf Talk |
| Pagliacci / Cavalleria rusticana | From Thu 26 Oct | On tour | In a fixed double bill |
In Leeds, book tickets for individual Little Greats separately.
View full Leeds performance schedule >>
Trial by Jury
Gilbert & Sullivan's hilarious courtroom farce
Part of The Little Greats
The glamorous Angelina brings a court case against her intended husband Edwin, who jilts her when he comes to the ghastly realisation that she bores him intensely. Unfortunately for Edwin, all of the members of the jury and even the judge have fallen for Angelina themselves. But what will happen to Edwin, her erstwhile intended? And will Angelina achieve her dream of walking down the aisle?
Every ounce of comic potential is mined from a ludicrous plot which is taken perfectly seriously by everyone caught up in it. With its brilliantly witty comic numbers, catchy tunes and a superb mock-operatic ensemble, Trial by Jury cemented a partnership that took British musical theatre by storm. It is cast entirely from the Chorus of Opera North who showcased their versatility in last year’s musical success, Into the Woods, in collaboration with the West Yorkshire Playhouse.
Running Time
Approximately 45 minutes
Language
Sung in English
Trailer
See what else is on the same date and build your own double bill:
| Cavalleria rusticana / Trial by Jury | Wed 27 Sep | Leeds | |
| Trial by Jury / L'enfant et les sortilèges | Fri 29 Sep | Leeds | Pre-perf Talk |
| Cavalleria rusticana / Trial by Jury | Sat 7 Oct | Leeds | Pre-perf Talk |
| Trouble in Tahiti / Trial by Jury | Fri 13 Oct | Leeds | Pre-perf Talk |
| Trouble in Tahiti / Trial by Jury (Matinee) | Sat 21 Oct | Leeds |   |
| Trouble in Tahiti / Trial by Jury | From Fri 27 Oct | On tour | In a fixed double bill |
In Leeds, book tickets for individual Little Greats separately.
View full Leeds performance schedule >>
The Child and the Magic Spells: Family Workshop
7 Oct - 18 Nov 2017
Nationwide
Touring 5 theatres
The Child and the Magic Spells: Family Workshop
Experience opera as a family for a day out with a difference. A fun and interactive family workshop exploring The Child and the Magic Spells.
Part of The Little Greats
Suitable for ages 7+
Ravel’s brilliant, bonkers L’enfant et les sortilèges (The Child and the Magic Spells) tells the story of a naughty child who gets more than he bargained for when objects that he previously broke – furniture, clocks, crockery – start coming to life.
Before seeing the 45 minute opera, get to know some of the unusual characters, discover the magical story, learn some French words and sing some of the songs from the show.
Great for families with children aged 7+ that love drama and music. Groups also welcome.
Bring-Along-A-Baby Choir
Suitable for adults with babies under 1 (or pre-walking).
This is a wonderful opportunity for parents with babies under one to come along and enjoy all the fun of singing in a group, in a warm and friendly environment.
No singing experience (or talent!) is necessary, just a desire to join in and have a go.
Sessions start on Monday 9 October; each individual session costs £6, or book all 6 sessions for the discounted rate of £30.
Osud (Destiny)
Leos Janáček's tale of the anguish of love
Part of The Little Greats
This semi-autobiographical tale is told in three cinematic acts that unfold over 15 years. Míla and the composer Živný are in love but Míla’s mother forces her to take a rich suitor. Four years later they are reunited and living together but as Živný wrestles with the opera he is writing and the mundanity of everyday married life kicks in, a tragedy occurs that changes everything.
The real-life inspiration for this opera makes it an emotionally intense and exhilarating experience. It features some of Janáček’s most glorious music which swings from the heights of romantic ecstasy to the depths of despair and back again. A real operatic gem, this is your chance to see a rarity brought to life.
Please note: Osud contains strobe lighting
Running Time
Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Language
Sung in English with English titles
The Music
See what else is on the same date and build your own double bill:
| Osud / Trouble in Tahiti | Wed 11 Oct | Leeds | |
| Osud / Cavalleria rusticana | Sat 14 Oct | Leeds | Pre-perf Talk |
| Pagliacci / Osud | Wed 18 Oct | Leeds | Pre-perf Talk |
| Osud / L'enfant et les sortilèges | Fri 20 Oct | Leeds | |
| L'enfant et les sortilèges / Osud | From Thu 2 Nov | On tour | In a fixed double bill |
In Leeds, book tickets for individual Little Greats separately.
View full Leeds performance schedule >>
Trouble in Tahiti
Leonard Bernstein's satire on the American Dream
Part of The Little Greats
In 1950s suburbia, Sam and Dinah appear to have the perfect life in their little white house. But their growing detachment exposes a mutual feeling that they are trapped in a life that has turned into a lie. Sam escapes to the hyper-masculine, win-or-lose world of work and the gym, while Dinah loses herself in the movies, where the hit picture of the day is the ominously-titled Trouble in Tahiti.
A jazz trio provides an ironic gloss on the story, pointing up the stark contrast between the unreal fantasy of domestic bliss peddled by the ad-men and the painful truth of Sam and Dinah’s lives.
Bernstein’s score for his deeply touching first opera is heavily influenced by the syncopated rhythms of jazz and by the distinctive American vernacular of Hollywood and Broadway.
Running Time
Approximately 45 minutes
Language
Sung in English
The Music
See what else is on the same date and build your own double bill:
| Osud / Trouble in Tahiti | Wed 11 Oct | Leeds | |
| Trouble in Tahiti / Trial by Jury | Fri 13 Oct | Leeds | Pre-perf Talk |
| Trouble in Tahiti (Matinee) | Sat 14 Oct | Leeds | |
| Cavalleria rusticana / Trouble in Tahiti | Thu 19 Oct | Leeds | |
| Trouble in Tahiti / Trial by Jury (Matinee) | Sat 21 Oct | Leeds |   |
| Trouble in Tahiti / Trial by Jury | From Fri 27 Oct | On tour | In a fixed double bill |
In Leeds, book tickets for individual Little Greats separately.
View full Leeds performance schedule >>
Orchestra of Opera North: Stick Man & Room on the Broom
24 Oct 2017
Huddersfield
Huddersfield Town Hall
Orchestra of Opera North: Stick Man & Room on the Broom
Part of the Kirklees Concert Season 2017-18
Terry Davies, Conductor
Join us this October half-term for the screening of two animated tales from the creators of The Gruffalo with René Aubry's evocative scores performed by the Orchestra.
This early evening concert begins with the first live UK performance of Stick Man, a story of friendship and adventure. After going for a jog one morning, Stick Man encounters a bounding dog, who just wants to play fetch. A series of unfortunate events take him far from home. Will he ever get back? You'll have to wait and see...
The enchanting Room on the Broom follows. The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on her broomstick when — whoosh! — a gust of wind blows away her hat, her bow and her wand! Will she find her missing things? Come along and find out!
The animated adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's book appeals to the child in all of us.
— The Daily Telegraph
Activity Sheets
Download and print these activity sheets before the concert and start the fun early:
Room on the Broom - Make your own magic wand
Room on the Broom - Pairs Game
Room on the Broom - Spotting Game
Room on the Broom - Finger Puppets
Room on the Broom - Colouring Sheet
Stick Man - Colouring Sheet
Stick Man - Maze Game
Stick Man - Spot The Difference
Stick Man - Wordsearch
Stick Man - Word Scramble
Subscription packages now on sale.
To save money and become a subscriber, download form or call Kirklees Box Office on 01484 225 755.
Kirklees Concert Season 2017/18 Brochure (PDF)
Audio brochure
Nothing Like The Sun: The Gavin Bryars Ensemble
In this haunting, dramatic piece for chamber ensemble and voices, Gavin Bryars weaves his beautiful music through and around eight of Shakespeare's most meditative sonnets.
Led by Bryars himself, the ensemble includes tenor John Potter (ex Hilliard Ensemble), with narration by multi-talented Dublin singer, Gavin Friday (Virgin Prunes). Influenced by early music but unmistakably modern, this is a fresh way to experience Shakespeare’s words.
Commissioned by Opera North and the Royal Shakespeare Company, Nothing Like The Sun has been performed at festivals around the world, and comes home to the Howard Assembly Room for the first time.
"Extraordinary…sublime"
Real Time Arts magazine
Gweneth-Ann Rand & Simon Lepper
Messiaen’s Harawi evokes a beautiful world of Andean mythology, cosmic mystery and birdsong through lush, pliant lyricism.
While reminiscent of Debussy, Stravinsky and Wagner, Harawi is unmistakeably by Messiaen: a twelve song cycle on love and death characteristic of his 1940s style.
Soprano Gweneth-Ann Rand is possibly the most experienced Messiaen singer of her generation and has performed this cycle with Simon Lepper all over the UK, including at the BBC Proms.
Her performance has a “brooding, animal-like intensity...her notes seemed to grow effortlessly from deep within, quite a feat as the breath control and vocal dexterity needed in this piece is truly formidable.” (Seen and Heard International).
For this special concert, projected imagery and surtitles draw you into a journey deep inside Messiaen’s myriad influences and musical world.