OPERA North’s ‘Green Season’ of productions created from recycled materials opened with Verdi’s Falstaff. Last Friday’s world premiere of Sir David Pountney’s Masque of Might goes a step further. Not only are the beautiful period costumes, scenery and props recycled from Opera North’s vast store, or otherwise sustainably sourced, so too is the music. Sir David has built Masque of Might around 44 musical numbers ‘re-purposed’ from the prolific output of Henry Purcell (1659-95). In Purcell’s day a masque was a musical entertainment sprinkled with generous portions of dance and lavish spectacle.

David Pountney’s Masque for our time is a heartfelt plea for universal recognition of the devastating effects of climate change. Diktat, the central character, interpreted here with virile strength by the bass Callum Thorpe, is a cruel climate change sceptic who becomes Earth’s absolute ruler.

The dictator’s arrival on the scene in an enormous pram is heralded by excerpts from the ceremonial Ode for the Birthday of Queen Mary. Surprising perhaps just how relevant Purcell can seem after nearly 350 years. Period instrument specialist Harry Bicket, at the helm of the Orchestra of Opera North, makes his music sound as if freshly minted. The superbly polished singers playing dual roles include soprano Anna Dennis, counter tenors James Laing and James Hall, the tenor Xavier Hetherington, bass baritone Andri Björn Róbertsson and the bass Matthew Brook. The fluidity of the dance scenes choreographed by Denni Sayers adds an extra dimension.

Pountney has tweaked texts to fit his contemporary theme. For example, ‘to see the Lord of Glory Die’ becomes ‘to see the Glorious Planet Die’. The message is effectively rammed home by David Haneke’s awesome video footage of the earth and planets, marbled halls and glittering chandeliers. Glaciers melt and raging wildfires transform verdant forests into blackened scorched skeletal remains. The soulful face of a gorilla is captured on film in front of its lost habitat.

In one of the most memorable stage pictures, the Chorus of Opera North portray trees pleading for the cries of nature to be heeded, only to be cut down by Diktat and his cronies. It certainly makes you think.

This performance was dedicated to the memory of Jane Bonner, Opera North’s much loved company manager for nearly four decades. Jane’s calm and reassuring presence will be sorely missed.

Leeds Grand Theatre October 14th, 21st & 27th.