Opera North - Leeds | 4 March 2021 |
You've been granted free access to this page.
Take a FREE 7 DAY TRIAL or SUBSCRIBE today to access the full content of theoperacritic.com.
Free access
Performance reviews
Key | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
FidelioOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 10 | ![]() |
Opera North’s gripping Beethoven led a week of inventive filmed opera |
![]() |
Despite social distancing and minimal movement, the result is remarkably dramatic |
![]() |
A wonderful concert staging in the most trying of times |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Opera North triumphs with electrifying take on Beethoven's radical opera |
![]() |
Mark Wigglesworth reveals his innate grasp of pacing and every member of his cast shines |
![]() |
Adaptation leaves Beethoven's music in all its glory |
![]() |
Opera North’s stripped-down Fidelio commemorates Beethoven’s 250th |
![]() |
Beethoven's Fidelio as fervent prayer in Leeds |
![]() |
Imprisonment in the time of COVID-19 |
![]() |
A company achievement, fielding its largest stage ensemble for quite some time |
![]() |
Die sieben TodsundenOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 6 | ![]() |
A powerful 35 minutes, but fun as well |
![]() |
It maybe a Weill but give Opera North’s The Seven Deadly Sins a chance if you can |
![]() |
Opera North's Seven Deadly Sins is interpreted with enormous verve |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Viscerally thrilling |
![]() |
Hollywood highs and Depression lows with uncanny resonances |
![]() |
Gary Clarke’s production emphasised the darkness of the work |
![]() |
Street SceneOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 11 | ![]() ![]() |
A testament to working-class struggle and the struggle of women |
![]() |
A finely-wrought staging |
![]() |
A superbly conducted, well sung and impeccably designed production of Kurt Weill’s ‘Broadway opera' |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Opera North's Street Scene is full of vim and verve |
![]() |
Love thy neighbour |
![]() |
Opera North revels in a night on the town with Kurt Weill |
![]() |
Street Scene will be a delight to lovers of Weill’s Americana |
![]() |
Intricate staging of Kurt Weill’s opera |
![]() |
Opera North's thrilling Street Scene brings Golden Age Broadway to Leeds |
![]() |
Full justice for murder in Manhattan |
![]() |
An unfussy and sympathetic production – shame Kurt Weill’s opera is a snooze |
![]() |
The Turn of the ScrewOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() ![]() |
Alessandro Talevi resonates with even more disturbing undertones |
![]() |
Opera North, under the direction of Alessandro Talevi, puts on a well done production of The Turning of the Screw |
![]() |
Opera North deliver a chilling Turn of the Screw |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Madeleine Boyd’s set and costumes create a sense of stifling seclusion |
![]() |
Le nozze di FigaroOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 7 | ![]() ![]() |
The warm response from a full house was richly deserved |
![]() |
The warm response from a full house was richly deserved |
![]() |
Progresses at a rapid lick |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Joyous and witty |
![]() |
Exuberant revival of Opera North's Marriage of Figaro |
![]() |
It is entertaining from beginning to end |
![]() |
A genuinely funny, true ‘company’ version of Mozart’s great work |
![]() |
Duke Bluebeard's CastleOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 3 | ![]() |
One hell of a concert |
![]() |
Opera North’s concert performance gets right to the heart of Bartók’s opera |
![]() |
A perfectly balanced programme |
![]() |
La bohèmeOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 6 | ![]() ![]() |
An impressive and deeply engaging production of Puccini’s La bohème |
![]() |
Renato Balsadonna conducts Opera North’s La bohème empathetically, but time this production was retired |
![]() |
The production has returned reinvigorated with two new international casts |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
the orchestra was the star of the show in this welcome return of Phyllida Lloyd’s straightforward, mostly unsentimental production |
![]() |
Opera North again put on an excellent performance |
![]() |
Another sparkling revival of La bohème by Opera North |
![]() |
Giulio Cesare in EgittoOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 7 | ![]() |
Rare, abbreviated, yet superbly staged performance of Handel’s Giulio Cesare from Opera North |
![]() |
The vocal performances are what matter here |
![]() |
A Giulio Cesare well worth seeing |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Opera North's inventive Giulio Cesare a stirring tribute to Handel |
![]() |
Albery’s production is austere yet rich in association, singer-focused and a true company endeavour |
![]() |
Vicious scheming and visual splendour, but seduction too: Opera North's revival of Handel's Giulio Cesare |
![]() |
The Baroque style is superbly captured by an accomplished international cast |
![]() |
The Greek PassionOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 11 | ![]() ![]() |
The Greek Passion is a triumph for the Opera North Chorus and designer Charles Edwards |
![]() |
A terrific company achievement |
![]() |
A powerful Martinů rarity |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Opera North redonne sa chance (avec succès !) à The Greek Passion de Bohuslav Martinu |
![]() |
The Greek Passion resonates just as much today than it did over 60 years ago |
![]() |
Martinů's gripping Greek Passion from Opera North |
![]() |
Opera North brings Martinu's opera powerfully to life |
![]() |
Accessible and affecting |
![]() |
Martinů’s fierce opera brings home refugee crisis |
![]() |
Pertinence and power |
![]() |
An opera for our times |
![]() |
AidaOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 10 | ![]() ![]() |
This is a production that really does prove that less staging really is more |
![]() |
Annabel Arden’s concept makes Verdi’s opera seem strikingly relevant |
![]() |
The evening proved that the right kind of opera works equally well, sometimes better, away from the opera house |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
An unforgettable Aida where less is more |
![]() |
Une Aïda jouissive à l'Opera North de Leeds |
![]() |
Alexandra Zabala (Aida) and Alessandra Volpe (Amneris) make memorable Opera North debuts |
![]() |
Innovative and daring, Opera North delights with its production of Aida |
![]() |
Opera North rethinks Verdi's epic with formidable results |
![]() |
A triumph of music-making from a powerhouse company |
![]() |
A radical approach to an operatic warhorse by Opera North |
![]() |
Die ZauberflöteOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 12 | ![]() |
Opera North stuns audiences with magical Mozart production |
![]() |
Opera North’s uneven new production of Magic Flute lacks clarity in Salford |
![]() |
Opera North bring an entirely accessible production to a wide-ranging audience |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Destination unknown |
![]() |
Was it all a dream in Opera North’s new Magic Flute? |
![]() |
James Brining needs to learn that, in opera, less is more |
![]() |
An ambitious production |
![]() |
A fetching, inventive Magic Flute – with a dark side |
![]() |
A good-looking production which lacks the necessary magic |
![]() |
Dark, eclectic and disquieting |
![]() |
This conventional staging enlivened by whizzy video effects is sandbagged by a lack of energy |
![]() |
The company of Opera North put on an outstanding performance |
![]() |
Gianni SchicchiOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() ![]() |
The opera is beautifully Directed by Christopher Alden |
![]() |
Last Rites: Puccini meets Stravinsky in Leeds |
![]() |
A double bill of contrasts |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
The cast colourfully portrays the chaotic characters |
![]() |
Kat'a KabanovaOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 5 | ![]() ![]() |
Emotion does not come rawer than in Opera North’s version of Katya Kabanova |
![]() |
Tim Albery’s dimly lit production stokes up the claustrophobic, loveless atmosphere of small town respectability |
![]() |
The acting is superbly believable and the storytelling gripping |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Stephanie Corley's emotive and moving performance portraying this troubled character is very memorable |
![]() |
It's grim up North: a heartbreaking Katya Kabanova in Leeds |
![]() |
Silent NightOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 8 | ![]() ![]() |
Opera North’s Silent Night is a moving missive for our troubled times |
![]() |
A 100-strong male voice chorus gave the resounding premiere of Kevin Puts’s first world war opera |
![]() |
The futility of war: Opera North gives Kevin Puts’ Silent Night its UK première |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Involving and thought-provoking |
![]() |
First world war opera is an overwhelming emotive experience |
![]() |
This American opera about the Great War is almost a winner |
![]() |
One of those fusions of original creation and production where everything works perfectly |
![]() |
This fresh and engaging take on war and peace wins battle with Britten |
![]() |
ToscaOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 11 | ![]() ![]() |
From it’s sudden opening to the emotional ending, there was not a low point in the show |
![]() |
Opera North’s Tosca will leave you quivering |
![]() |
An evening that could hardly be more passionate |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
A Tosca of Belly Punching Power from Opera North |
![]() |
A production that truly sizzles |
![]() |
A lovely, lurid Tosca from Opera North |
![]() |
Drama to hit you in the gut – chiming with the demands of Puccini’s music |
![]() |
Contemporary take on Puccini is compelling and creepy |
![]() |
An incredible and unmissable production |
![]() |
A brutal, thumping success |
![]() |
Right from those tumbling incisive first chords, this Tosca is lurid, thunderous, oppressive, exhilarating |
![]() |
Die Lustige WitweOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() ![]() |
Vibrant and colourful company performance of Merry Widow from Opera North |
![]() |
The strength of the production comes from the ensemble performance |
![]() |
Opera North's energetic Merry Widow is more than a mere period piece |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
Opera North has created a charming and enjoyable production |
![]() |
Kiss me, KateOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() ![]() |
A fun filled Kiss Me Kate |
![]() |
An engaging and well-crafted staging |
![]() |
The pinnacle of song-and-dance Shakespeare |
![]() |
more reviews [+]
An unmissable evening of first-class entertainment |
![]() |
SalomeOpera NorthNo. of reviews: 9 | ![]() ![]() |
This exclusive Scottish performance was a real coup for the Perth hall |
![]() |
An unmitigated triumph |
![]() |

Reviews search
Performance schedule
No future performances found
News & Articles
Opera North looks to the future |
Lockdown can’t stop music. Melanie Eskenazi looks forward to some online treats from Opera North. |
![]() |
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. |
![]() |
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. |
![]() |
Towards environmentally sustainable productions |
Opera North to use second-hand props and costumes for a carbon neutral spectacle. |
![]() |
Opera North announces 2020-21 season |
Anna Denisova, Patrick Terry and Brindley Sherratt lead Opera North 2020-21 season. |
![]() |