Opera North - Leeds
28 March 2024

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Cavalleria Rusticana
Aleko
La rondine
Falstaff
Les pêcheurs de perles

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Performance reviews

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Così fan tutte

Opera North


No. of reviews: 9

A talented cast combined to make Opera North’s Così fan tutte an eminently enjoyable production
28 Mar 24 / Seen and Heard
Mozart's Così Fan Tutte at The Lowry is a treat for opera lovers
23 Mar 24 / I Love Manchester
A very modern and accessible version of the classic
23 Mar 24 / The Reviews Hub
Tim Albery’s rendition of Così fan tutte returns with renewed vigour, inviting audiences into a world of intrigue and romance
11 Feb 24 / The Reviews Hub
Beautiful voices, stage construction, and music
10 Feb 24 / Nouse
A superlative Mozartian cast
7 Feb 24 / Ilkley Gazette
A Così fan tutte straight out of the Age of Enlightenment at Opera North
7 Feb 24 / Bachtrack
A cat among the pigeons
5 Feb 24 / The Opera Critic
Voices and personalities in balance and contrast in revived Albery production
4 Feb 24 / The Arts Desk
Cavalleria Rusticana

Opera North


No. of reviews: 9

Opera North’s double bill of Mascagni and Rachmaninov was given highly engaging performances
27 Mar 24 / Seen and Heard
Opera North pairs Mascagni’s masterpiece with teenage Rachmaninov in a potent double bill
25 Feb 24 / The Observer
The vocal performances emphasise the production’s tensions
24 Feb 24 / Classical Source
Love, betrayal, revenge, and ultimately murder cast a long shadow in Opera North’s utterly gripping double bill
20 Feb 24 / Wharfedale Observer
An electrifying double-bill from Opera North
19 Feb 24 / The Guardian
A powerful tale of two very different one-act operas
18 Feb 24 / The Opera Critic
Aleko never catches fire as did Cavalleria Rusticana
17 Feb 24 / The Reviews Hub
This production showcases a formidable cast and highlights the emotional parallels between these two operatic worlds
17 Feb 24 / BNN Breaking
Similarities and differences explored in Opera North's Cav and Aleko double bill
17 Feb 24 / Bachtrack
Aleko

Opera North


No. of reviews: 9

Opera North’s double bill of Mascagni and Rachmaninov was given highly engaging performances
27 Mar 24 / Seen and Heard
Opera North pairs Mascagni’s masterpiece with teenage Rachmaninov in a potent double bill
25 Feb 24 / The Observer
Hayward’s Aleko is more successfully urgent than his Alfio
24 Feb 24 / Classical Source
Love, betrayal, revenge, and ultimately murder cast a long shadow in Opera North’s utterly gripping double bill
20 Feb 24 / Wharfedale Observer
An electrifying double-bill from Opera North
19 Feb 24 / The Guardian
A powerful tale of two very different one-act operas
18 Feb 24 / The Opera Critic
Aleko never catches fire as did Cavalleria Rusticana
17 Feb 24 / The Reviews Hub
This production showcases a formidable cast and highlights the emotional parallels between these two operatic worlds
17 Feb 24 / BNN Breaking
Similarities and differences explored in Opera North's Cav and Aleko double bill
17 Feb 24 / Bachtrack
Albert Herring

Opera North


No. of reviews: 5

A charming production of Albert Herring
16 Jan 24 / The Opera Critic
Opera North has always done well by Albert Herring
16 Jan 24 / The Reviews Hub
Eavesdropping on their dramas
15 Jan 24 / Planet Hugill
Opera North’s glorious glimpse of village politics
15 Jan 24 / The Guardian
Immersive and intimate fun
14 Jan 24 / The Arts Desk
La rondine

Opera North


No. of reviews: 10

Opera North’s La rondine proves a balm for our troubles today
24 Nov 23 / Seen and Heard
This production shows Opera North at its best, showcasing the talents of the entire company
19 Nov 23 / The Reviews Hub
Opera North’s stylish Puccini is opulent and tender
28 Oct 23 / The Guardian
Galina Averina’s creamy soprano enchants in Doretta’s Dream, the famous coloratura waltz-song
25 Oct 23 / Ilkley Gazette
A feast of lyricism and nostalgic sentimentality from Opera North
24 Oct 23 / Bachtrack
Sounds utterly beguiling
24 Oct 23 / The Stage
An elegant interpretation of this lesser-known work
23 Oct 23 / The Opera Critic
What's not to love? Glamour and heart as Puccini's little swallow returns to Opera North
23 Oct 23 / Planet Hugill
Leslie Travers’ set and Gabrielle Dalton’s costumes ensure that it looks as good as it sounds
22 Oct 23 / The Reviews Hub
Rehabilitation for a Puccini damp squib?
22 Oct 23 / The Arts Desk
Masque of Might

Opera North


No. of reviews: 9

Masque of Might with its message of impending environmental catastrophe has a significant impact
22 Nov 23 / Seen and Heard
The production has a larger-than life atmosphere bordering on satire
18 Nov 23 / The Reviews Hub
The Masque of Might at the Lowry is 'full of Baroque delight'
18 Nov 23 / I Love Manchester
A little bit crazy yet done with verve, imagination and style
30 Oct 23 / Planet Hugill
Harry Bicket makes Purcell's music sound as if freshly minted
11 Oct 23 / Wharfedale Observer
A feast of Purcell in Sir David Pountney’s Masque of Might at Opera North
10 Oct 23 / Bachtrack
Recycled Purcell hybrid is inventive and chaotic fun
9 Oct 23 / The Guardian
An eco-entertainment that's full of fun
9 Oct 23 / The Opera Critic
Musically the evening is sublime
8 Oct 23 / The Reviews Hub
Falstaff

Opera North


No. of reviews: 10

Henry Waddington is compelling in the title role of Opera North’s Green Season Falstaff
20 Nov 23 / Seen and Heard
The recycling theme suits Falstaff as it is clear from the opening the rogue knight has fallen on hard times
17 Nov 23 / The Reviews Hub
Verdi’s late masterpiece ends on a riotous and sustainable high at Opera North
8 Oct 23 / The Observer
Henry Waddington is an unforgettable Falstaff
4 Oct 23 / Ilkley Gazette
A joyous, green Falstaff opens Opera North's season
2 Oct 23 / Bachtrack
Olivia Fuchs directs with energy and a nice grasp of detail
1 Oct 23 / The Reviews Hub
Opera North puts a twinkle in Sir John’s eye in gleeful – and green – staging
30 Sep 23 / The Guardian
Superbly realised
30 Sep 23 / The Stage
Olivia Fuchs' lively production sweeps us along pell-mell
30 Sep 23 / The Opera Critic
Going green and having fun
29 Sep 23 / The Arts Desk
Les pêcheurs de perles

Opera North


No. of reviews: 6

The Pearl Fishers stripped of exoticism
28 May 23 / The Opera Critic
Matthew Eberhardt’s sanitised version offers little sense of time or place
25 May 23 / Ilkley Gazette
Of the four principals Sophia Theodorides makes the major impact
21 May 23 / The Reviews Hub
Beautifully performed
18 May 23 / The Stage
Opera North's Pearl Fishers proves a winner
18 May 23 / Bachtrack
‘Concert staging’ of Bizet’s essay in exoticism has its advantages
17 May 23 / The Arts Desk
Ariadne auf Naxos

Opera North


No. of reviews: 9

Opera North’s first Ariadne auf Naxos is positively ‘Comic, heroic and romantic’
16 Mar 23 / Seen and Heard
A splendidly beautiful musical performance
12 Mar 23 / West End Best Friend
A slick performance in fine Fellini style
3 Mar 23 / The Opera Critic
Elizabeth Llewellyn sounded lustrous as the Prima Donna
2 Mar 23 / The Spectator
Antony Hermus’ conducting radiates commitment and energy
26 Feb 23 / The Reviews Hub
Rodula Gaitanou’s relocation of Strauss’ opera to an Italian film studio produces great entertainment
24 Feb 23 / The Stage
An absorbing and vivid evening
21 Feb 23 / Opera Today
Strauss à la Fellini
21 Feb 23 / Bachtrack
Strauss’s harlequinade gets a dusting of silver-screen magic
20 Feb 23 / The Guardian
Tosca

Opera North


No. of reviews: 10

Opera North’s Tosca revival certainly has the power to captivate an audience
15 Mar 23 / Seen and Heard
Opera North’s Tosca revival certainly has the power to captivate an audience
14 Mar 23 / Seen and Heard
Giselle Allen develops Tosca from a one-dimensional trivial character to one of the vengeful Furies from legend
12 Mar 23 / The Reviews Hub
Opera North's Tosca revival contained a ‘Vissi d’arte’ that has rarely sounded less sweet – and I mean that as a compliment
10 Feb 23 / The Spectator
Giselle Allen is completely in command of Tosca
29 Jan 23 / The Reviews Hub
A welcome revival and one not to be missed
28 Jan 23 / Yorkshire Post
Edward Dick’s 2018 modernist production continues to fire on all cylinders
25 Jan 23 / Wharfedale Observer
Opera North revives its taut, terrific Tosca
25 Jan 23 / Bachtrack
It's all about her
24 Jan 23 / The Opera Critic
Modern reworking of the Puccini favourite retains its capacity to surprise and thrill
24 Jan 23 / The Stage
The Cunning Little Vixen

Opera North


No. of reviews: 7

Visually the production is stunning
12 Mar 23 / The Reviews Hub
Opera North’s Vixen has stood the test of time and is a genuine treat for eyes and ears
9 Mar 23 / Seen and Heard
The sounds of the forest come to life
20 Feb 23 / The Opera Critic
Close to perfection
10 Feb 23 / The Spectator
Janacek’s richly inventive orchestral score reaches its heartwarming spiritual climax
9 Feb 23 / Ilkley Gazette
A real ensemble effort in Janáček’s cartoon-based tale of nature and human nature
7 Feb 23 / The Arts Desk
David Pountney's charming Cunning Little Vixen revived in Leeds
7 Feb 23 / Bachtrack
Orpheus

Opera North


No. of reviews: 7

Degun’s reinvention of one of the most popular operas of all time is ambitious – and, ultimately, triumphant
23 Nov 22 / The Mancunion
A show to be coolly appreciated rather than warmly enjoyed
21 Nov 22 / The Reviews Hub
Bold, self-assured reimagining of Monteverdi
27 Oct 22 / The Spectator
Opera North’s teeming fusion of Monteverdi with Indian classical traditions is an inspired match
23 Oct 22 / The Observer
A joyous and charming reimagination of the Orpheus myth
18 Oct 22 / The Opera Critic
This is the production that surely couldn’t work
16 Oct 22 / The Reviews Hub
Monteverdi meets India
16 Oct 22 / Bachtrack
The best of both worlds: Opera North’s Orpheus reimagined
Monteverdi’s opera has been reinvented for an orchestra of baroque, classical and Indian instruments, and rescored for a cast of Indian and western classical singers. How? And why?
Orfeo ed Euridice

Opera North


No. of reviews: 4

Alice Coote leads an impressive performance of Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice for Opera North
22 Nov 22 / Seen and Heard
An energised account of the overture gives a foretaste of the clarity and pace of this production
1 Nov 22 / Wharfedale Observer
A minimalist staging that makes its mark
31 Oct 22 / The Opera Critic
It’s all done with grace and poise
30 Oct 22 / The Reviews Hub
La Traviata

Opera North


No. of reviews: 8

Máire Flavin’s Violetta made this a most captivating performance of La traviata by Opera North
19 Nov 22 / Seen and Heard
Opera North has crafted an approachable and skilful La Traviata
13 Nov 22 / The Reviews Hub
Alison Langer strikes the perfect tone as Violetta
10 Nov 22 / Newark Advertiser
This revival is a stylish, sophisticated treat
7 Oct 22 / Yorkshire Post
Memorable revival of La Traviata by Opera North
4 Oct 22 / Ilkley Gazette
Opera North keeps it simple with focus on singing
2 Oct 22 / Music OMH
A nostalgic yet fun revival of La Traviata
2 Oct 22 / The Opera Critic
Opera at its best
30 Sep 22 / The Reviews Hub
Parsifal

Opera North


No. of reviews: 12

Brindley Sherratt’s breathtaking Gurnemanz shines in semi-staged production
4 Jul 22 / OperaWire
Parsifal magic shimmers at the Festival Hall
29 Jun 22 / The Article
Wagner’s music casts its spell
29 Jun 22 / Global Circulate
Much to admire in Parsifal from Opera North despite staging and casting missteps
28 Jun 22 / Seen and Heard
Opera North’s Parsifal brings a touch of the divine to London’s Royal Festival Hall
28 Jun 22 / Opera Online (English)
A completely satisfying operatic experience
16 Jun 22 / The Spectator
Opera North’s new Wagner production is one to remember
12 Jun 22 / The Observer
Wagner's brilliant music conquers all qualms in Opera North's Parsifal
7 Jun 22 / Bachtrack
Under Farnes, the orchestra brings the full range of sound from hushed chords to vast climaxes
5 Jun 22 / The Reviews Hub
Parsifal weaves its mysterious magic
4 Jun 22 / The Opera Critic
The shimmering beauty of Wagner’s score shines
3 Jun 22 / The Guardian
Bold touches and thrilling high points in Wagner’s 'stage consecration festival play'
2 Jun 22 / The Arts Desk
A knight’s tale
Brindley Sherratt on the stamina and storytelling of Wagner’s Parsifal.
Carmen

Opera North


No. of reviews: 10

Has one of the most performed operas reached its sell-by date?
31 Mar 22 / Chronicle Live
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Performance schedule
Mozart
2 Feb to 6 Apr 2024
Loewe
31 May to 29 Jun 2024
Mozart
27 Sep 2024 to 29 Mar 2025
Britten
12 Oct to 20 Nov 2024
Gilbert & Sullivan
26 Oct to 21 Nov 2024
Weill
16 to 18 Jan 2025
Wagner
1 Feb to 28 Mar 2025
Mozart
20 Feb to 20 Mar 2025
Verdi
24 Apr to 24 May 2025

News & Articles

Opera North mourns death of Company Manager
The company took to social media to announce, "It is with huge sadness that Opera North learned this week of the death of our much-loved Company Manager, Jane Bonner."
7 Oct 2023 / OperaWire
Knighthood for Opera North director Richard Mantle
The long-serving director of Opera North has been awarded a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours.
17 Jun 2023 / BBC News
Opera North General Director to retire in 2023
Opera North has announced that Richard Mantle will retire as General Director in 2023 after almost 30 years of leading the Company.
13 Sep 2022 / OperaWire
Opera North announces 2022-23 season
The season begins in September 2022 with a revival of Alessandro Talevi’s well received Belle Époque production of La traviata.
10 Mar 2022 / Broadway World
Opera North launches new female conductor traineeship
Female conductors based in the UK are being called on to apply for an intensive new ten-week training scheme aimed at addressing the gender balance in conducting and classical music.
16 Jul 2021 / Classical-music.com