| Opera North - Leeds | 4 March 2021 |
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The Turn of the Screw
Le nozze di Figaro
Street Scene
La bohème
The Greek Passion
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Performance reviews
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FidelioOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 10 | |
Opera North’s gripping Beethoven led a week of inventive filmed opera |
 20 Dec 20 / The Observer |
Despite social distancing and minimal movement, the result is remarkably dramatic |
| 20 Dec 20 / The Reviews Hub |
A wonderful concert staging in the most trying of times |
| 16 Dec 20 / Music OMH |
more reviews [+]
Opera North triumphs with electrifying take on Beethoven's radical opera |
| 15 Dec 20 / The Guardian |
Mark Wigglesworth reveals his innate grasp of pacing and every member of his cast shines |
| 15 Dec 20 / Wharfedale Observer |
Adaptation leaves Beethoven's music in all its glory |
| 15 Dec 20 / The Arts Desk |
Opera North’s stripped-down Fidelio commemorates Beethoven’s 250th |
| 15 Dec 20 / Seen and Heard |
Beethoven's Fidelio as fervent prayer in Leeds |
| 15 Dec 20 / Bachtrack |
Imprisonment in the time of COVID-19 |
| 14 Dec 20 / The Opera Critic |
A company achievement, fielding its largest stage ensemble for quite some time |
| 14 Dec 20 / Planet Hugill |
Die sieben TodsundenOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 6 | |
A powerful 35 minutes, but fun as well |
| 29 Nov 20 / The Reviews Hub |
It maybe a Weill but give Opera North’s The Seven Deadly Sins a chance if you can |
| 25 Nov 20 / Seen and Heard |
Opera North's Seven Deadly Sins is interpreted with enormous verve |
| 25 Nov 20 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
Viscerally thrilling |
| 24 Nov 20 / The Arts Desk |
Hollywood highs and Depression lows with uncanny resonances |
| 24 Nov 20 / The Guardian |
Gary Clarke’s production emphasised the darkness of the work |
| 23 Nov 20 / Opera Today |
Street SceneOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 11 | |
A testament to working-class struggle and the struggle of women |
| 4 Apr 20 / The Mancunion |
A finely-wrought staging |
| 5 Mar 20 / The Northern Echo |
A superbly conducted, well sung and impeccably designed production of Kurt Weill’s ‘Broadway opera' |
| 22 Feb 20 / Music OMH |
more reviews [+]
Opera North's Street Scene is full of vim and verve |
| 18 Feb 20 / The Opera Critic |
Love thy neighbour |
| 28 Jan 20 / The Critics' Circle |
Opera North revels in a night on the town with Kurt Weill |
| 27 Jan 20 / The Observer |
Street Scene will be a delight to lovers of Weill’s Americana |
| 26 Jan 20 / The Reviews Hub |
Intricate staging of Kurt Weill’s opera |
| 21 Jan 20 / The Stage |
Opera North's thrilling Street Scene brings Golden Age Broadway to Leeds |
| 21 Jan 20 / Bachtrack |
Full justice for murder in Manhattan |
| 20 Jan 20 / The Guardian |
An unfussy and sympathetic production – shame Kurt Weill’s opera is a snooze |
| 20 Jan 20 / Telegraph |
The Turn of the ScrewOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Alessandro Talevi resonates with even more disturbing undertones |
| 1 Mar 20 / Ilkley Gazette |
Opera North, under the direction of Alessandro Talevi, puts on a well done production of The Turning of the Screw |
| 23 Feb 20 / The Reviews Hub |
Opera North deliver a chilling Turn of the Screw |
| 20 Feb 20 / Opera Today |
more reviews [+]
Madeleine Boyd’s set and costumes create a sense of stifling seclusion |
| 17 Feb 20 / Music OMH |
Le nozze di FigaroOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 7 | |
The warm response from a full house was richly deserved |
| 1 Mar 20 / Ilkley Gazette |
The warm response from a full house was richly deserved |
| 19 Feb 20 / Ilkley Gazette |
Progresses at a rapid lick |
| 5 Feb 20 / On: Yorkshire Magazine |
more reviews [+]
Joyous and witty |
| 4 Feb 20 / The Stage |
Exuberant revival of Opera North's Marriage of Figaro |
| 4 Feb 20 / Bachtrack |
It is entertaining from beginning to end |
| 4 Feb 20 / The Reviews Hub |
A genuinely funny, true ‘company’ version of Mozart’s great work |
| 3 Feb 20 / Music OMH |
Duke Bluebeard's CastleOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 3 | |
One hell of a concert |
| 13 Dec 19 / The Spectator |
Opera North’s concert performance gets right to the heart of Bartók’s opera |
| 9 Dec 19 / The Observer |
A perfectly balanced programme |
| 1 Dec 19 / The Reviews Hub |
La bohèmeOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 6 | |
An impressive and deeply engaging production of Puccini’s La bohème |
| 7 Dec 19 / The Mancunion |
Renato Balsadonna conducts Opera North’s La bohème empathetically, but time this production was retired |
| 15 Nov 19 / Seen and Heard |
The production has returned reinvigorated with two new international casts |
| 31 Oct 19 / The Northern Echo |
more reviews [+]
the orchestra was the star of the show in this welcome return of Phyllida Lloyd’s straightforward, mostly unsentimental production |
| 24 Oct 19 / Music OMH |
Opera North again put on an excellent performance |
| 15 Oct 19 / The Reviews Hub |
Another sparkling revival of La bohème by Opera North |
| 15 Oct 19 / Bachtrack |
Giulio Cesare in EgittoOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 7 | |
Rare, abbreviated, yet superbly staged performance of Handel’s Giulio Cesare from Opera North |
| 18 Nov 19 / Seen and Heard |
The vocal performances are what matter here |
| 17 Nov 19 / The Reviews Hub |
A Giulio Cesare well worth seeing |
| 2 Oct 19 / The Opera Critic |
more reviews [+]
Opera North's inventive Giulio Cesare a stirring tribute to Handel |
| 1 Oct 19 / Bachtrack |
Albery’s production is austere yet rich in association, singer-focused and a true company endeavour |
| 30 Sep 19 / Music OMH |
Vicious scheming and visual splendour, but seduction too: Opera North's revival of Handel's Giulio Cesare |
| 30 Sep 19 / Planet Hugill |
The Baroque style is superbly captured by an accomplished international cast |
| 30 Sep 19 / Wharfedale Observer |
The Greek PassionOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 11 | |
The Greek Passion is a triumph for the Opera North Chorus and designer Charles Edwards |
| 18 Nov 19 / The Reviews Hub |
A terrific company achievement |
| 30 Sep 19 / Planet Hugill |
A powerful Martinů rarity |
| 29 Sep 19 / The Observer |
more reviews [+]
Opera North redonne sa chance (avec succès !) à The Greek Passion de Bohuslav Martinu |
| 27 Sep 19 / Opera Online (French) |
The Greek Passion resonates just as much today than it did over 60 years ago |
| 22 Sep 19 / The Reviews Hub |
Martinů's gripping Greek Passion from Opera North |
| 19 Sep 19 / Opera Today |
Opera North brings Martinu's opera powerfully to life |
| 18 Sep 19 / The Opera Critic |
Accessible and affecting |
| 18 Sep 19 / The Stage |
Martinů’s fierce opera brings home refugee crisis |
| 17 Sep 19 / The Guardian |
Pertinence and power |
| 16 Sep 19 / The Arts Desk |
An opera for our times |
| 16 Sep 19 / Bachtrack |
AidaOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 10 | |
This is a production that really does prove that less staging really is more |
| 16 Jun 19 / The Reviews Hub |
Annabel Arden’s concept makes Verdi’s opera seem strikingly relevant |
| 30 May 19 / Wharfedale Observer |
The evening proved that the right kind of opera works equally well, sometimes better, away from the opera house |
| 23 May 19 / The York Press |
more reviews [+]
An unforgettable Aida where less is more |
| 23 May 19 / The Opera Critic |
Une Aïda jouissive à l'Opera North de Leeds |
| 14 May 19 / Opera Online (French) |
Alexandra Zabala (Aida) and Alessandra Volpe (Amneris) make memorable Opera North debuts |
| 12 May 19 / The Reviews Hub |
Innovative and daring, Opera North delights with its production of Aida |
| 7 May 19 / The Scarborough News |
Opera North rethinks Verdi's epic with formidable results |
| 3 May 19 / The Guardian |
A triumph of music-making from a powerhouse company |
| 3 May 19 / Telegraph |
A radical approach to an operatic warhorse by Opera North |
| 3 May 19 / Bachtrack |
Die ZauberflöteOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 12 | |
Opera North stuns audiences with magical Mozart production |
| 14 Mar 19 / The Clitheroe Advertiser and Times |
Opera North’s uneven new production of Magic Flute lacks clarity in Salford |
| 11 Mar 19 / Seen and Heard |
Opera North bring an entirely accessible production to a wide-ranging audience |
| 7 Mar 19 / The Reviews Hub |
more reviews [+]
Destination unknown |
| 3 Feb 19 / The Critics' Circle |
Was it all a dream in Opera North’s new Magic Flute? |
| 28 Jan 19 / The Observer |
James Brining needs to learn that, in opera, less is more |
| 26 Jan 19 / The York Press |
An ambitious production |
| 22 Jan 19 / The Stage |
A fetching, inventive Magic Flute – with a dark side |
| 22 Jan 19 / Bachtrack |
A good-looking production which lacks the necessary magic |
| 21 Jan 19 / Telegraph |
Dark, eclectic and disquieting |
| 21 Jan 19 / The Guardian |
This conventional staging enlivened by whizzy video effects is sandbagged by a lack of energy |
| 21 Jan 19 / The Times |
The company of Opera North put on an outstanding performance |
| 21 Jan 19 / The Reviews Hub |
Gianni SchicchiOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 4 | |
The opera is beautifully Directed by Christopher Alden |
| 13 Mar 19 / The Reviews Hub |
Last Rites: Puccini meets Stravinsky in Leeds |
| 18 Feb 19 / Bachtrack |
A double bill of contrasts |
| 18 Feb 19 / The Times |
more reviews [+]
The cast colourfully portrays the chaotic characters |
| 18 Feb 19 / The Reviews Hub |
Kat'a KabanovaOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Emotion does not come rawer than in Opera North’s version of Katya Kabanova |
| 9 Mar 19 / The Reviews Hub |
Tim Albery’s dimly lit production stokes up the claustrophobic, loveless atmosphere of small town respectability |
| 6 Mar 19 / Wharfedale Observer |
The acting is superbly believable and the storytelling gripping |
| 5 Feb 19 / The Times |
more reviews [+]
Stephanie Corley's emotive and moving performance portraying this troubled character is very memorable |
| 5 Feb 19 / The Reviews Hub |
It's grim up North: a heartbreaking Katya Kabanova in Leeds |
| 4 Feb 19 / Bachtrack |
Silent NightOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 8 | |
Opera North’s Silent Night is a moving missive for our troubled times |
| 17 Dec 18 / The Sunday Times |
A 100-strong male voice chorus gave the resounding premiere of Kevin Puts’s first world war opera |
| 10 Dec 18 / The Observer |
The futility of war: Opera North gives Kevin Puts’ Silent Night its UK première |
| 4 Dec 18 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
Involving and thought-provoking |
| 4 Dec 18 / The Stage |
First world war opera is an overwhelming emotive experience |
| 4 Dec 18 / The Guardian |
This American opera about the Great War is almost a winner |
| 3 Dec 18 / The Times |
One of those fusions of original creation and production where everything works perfectly |
| 3 Dec 18 / The Reviews Hub |
This fresh and engaging take on war and peace wins battle with Britten |
| 2 Dec 18 / Telegraph |
ToscaOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 11 | |
From it’s sudden opening to the emotional ending, there was not a low point in the show |
| 21 Nov 18 / The Mancunion |
Opera North’s Tosca will leave you quivering |
| 27 Sep 18 / The Spectator |
An evening that could hardly be more passionate |
| 26 Sep 18 / The York Press |
more reviews [+]
A Tosca of Belly Punching Power from Opera North |
| 25 Sep 18 / Seen and Heard |
A production that truly sizzles |
| 21 Sep 18 / ConcertoNet (English) |
A lovely, lurid Tosca from Opera North |
| 19 Sep 18 / Bachtrack |
Drama to hit you in the gut – chiming with the demands of Puccini’s music |
| 18 Sep 18 / Independent |
Contemporary take on Puccini is compelling and creepy |
| 18 Sep 18 / The Guardian |
An incredible and unmissable production |
| 18 Sep 18 / The Reviews Hub |
A brutal, thumping success |
| 18 Sep 18 / Telegraph |
Right from those tumbling incisive first chords, this Tosca is lurid, thunderous, oppressive, exhilarating |
| 18 Sep 18 / The Times |
Die Lustige WitweOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Vibrant and colourful company performance of Merry Widow from Opera North |
| 19 Nov 18 / Seen and Heard |
The strength of the production comes from the ensemble performance |
| 17 Nov 18 / The Reviews Hub |
Opera North's energetic Merry Widow is more than a mere period piece |
| 2 Oct 18 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
Opera North has created a charming and enjoyable production |
| 1 Oct 18 / The Reviews Hub |
Kiss me, KateOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 4 | |
A fun filled Kiss Me Kate |
| 7 Jul 18 / The Opera Critic |
An engaging and well-crafted staging |
| 28 May 18 / Classical Source |
The pinnacle of song-and-dance Shakespeare |
| 25 May 18 / The Guardian |
more reviews [+]
An unmissable evening of first-class entertainment |
| 25 May 18 / The Reviews Hub |
SalomeOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 9 | |
This exclusive Scottish performance was a real coup for the Perth hall |
| 1 May 18 / The Herald |
An unmitigated triumph |
| 26 Apr 18 / The Spectator |
Reviews search
Performance schedule
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News & Articles
| Opera North looks to the future |
Lockdown can’t stop music. Melanie Eskenazi looks forward to some online treats from Opera North. |
| 17 Nov 2020 / Music OMH |
| Opera North's programme of out-door events and digital projects |
The new programme, Switched On, involves a new piece by Abel Selaocoe, a film of Will Todd's new community opera, live performances of Whistle Stop Hansel and Gretel and an animated film of Puccini's La Boheme. |
| 17 Aug 2020 / Planet Hugill |
| Opera North’s Autumn/Winter seasons postponed |
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and the latest guidance on live performances, Opera North has announced the postponement of all its mainstage productions in its Autumn 2020 and Winter 2021 seasons. |
| 3 Jul 2020 / Opera Now |
| Towards environmentally sustainable productions |
Opera North to use second-hand props and costumes for a carbon neutral spectacle. |
| 23 Feb 2020 / Telegraph |
| Opera North announces 2020-21 season |
Anna Denisova, Patrick Terry and Brindley Sherratt lead Opera North 2020-21 season. |
| 20 Feb 2020 / OperaWire |
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