Opera North is preparing to breathe new life into the classic operatic performance of Puccini's Tosca in the coming weeks- and it's going to be an incredible experience.
A timeless political thriller, the three part opera takes you on a mesmerising journey of performance and sound that'll leave you on the edge of your seat.
Edward Dick's production effortlessly intertwines the beauty of Renaissance Roman grandeur with contemporary references for a critically-acclaimed production, all the action unfolding within a short, but gripping, 24 hour timeframe, told in just short of three hours on the stage.
Image: Richard H Smith
There's three main characters you'll want to keep your eye on: diva Floria Tosca and painter, republican and Floria's lover, Mario Cavaradossi; and the corrupt Chief of Police, Baron Scarpia, who has always had a crush on Tosca.
Cavaradossi is suspected of assisting with the crime of helping an escaped political prisoner and policeman Scarpia decides to use this to his advantage and manipulates Tosca into spilling all and explaining her lover's involvement, and the hiding place of the prisoner so that he can have her all to himself.
Then, with Cavaradossi captured, Tosca is left with an impossible decision: choose to give herself to Scarpia or see the man that she loves killed.
This gripping tale sees just how far people will go for love - and with a cast of additional henchmen as part of Scarpia's entourage and altar boys in 'Te deum', there's going to be plenty of voices involved in the journey.
Image: Richard H Smith
It is worth listening out for musical motifs that represent different characters throughout the performance, including the recurring ‘devil's interval’ consisting of an unsettling tritone to showcase the evil Scarpia.
The music itself will be recognisable to opera-enthusiasts, with Tosca bringing the famous soprana aria 'Vissi d'arte' (I lived for art) to life in the second act, as well as the heart-wrenching 'E lucevan le stelle' (The stars were shining brightly).
Tosca took Giacomo Puccini eleven years in total to complete and to become the age-old operatic performance that's been loved for over 100 years.
Book tickets for Opera North's Tosca at Leeds Grand Theatre here.
Image: Richard H Smith
Opera North is known in Leeds as one of the most impressive production companies in the city and beyond, and is noted as one of the reasons why Leeds is one of the 'top ten travel destinations to visit in 2023', according to Rough Guides.
The only nationally recognised UK opera company outside London is offering a wealth of incredible performances that brings art and culture to life throughout 2023, but Tosca is going to be setting the bar with performances spanning from January to March at Leeds Grand Theatre.
The following performances of Tosca will take place in 2023:
Saturday 21 January 2023 at 7pm (book tickets here)
Saturday 28 January 2023 at 2.30pm with audio description (book tickets here)
The performance will then travel to The Lowry in Salford, Nottingham and Newcastle's Royal Theatres before finishing up at Hull New Theatre on Saturday 1 April 2023.
How to get tickets
Ticket prices range from £15 to £80.50, with Under 30 Members able to grab tickets at a discounted rate of £10 each and receive a discount of food and drink too.
Those aged 16-20 can access free tickets, and if you want to bring a friend that falls into the same age bracket, they'll receive the same discounted rate as you.
If you've always fancied a trip to the opera but not ever committed, there's also a first timer's initiative that offers you all the advantages of the theatre without having to pay full price.
The Try it ON scheme gives you the chance to grab two fantastic seats and a tote bag filled with treats for just £20. You'll also get exclusive offers after the show so that you can continue to enjoy your newfound hobby.
Book tickets for Opera North's Tosca at Leeds Grand Theatre here.
Feature Image- Richard H Smith
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Shortlist for 2026 Mercury Prize announced with several northern names making the cut
The shortlist for the 2026 Mercury Prize has officially landed - and it's another huge year for music from the north.
The prestigious annual award, which celebrates the very best British and Irish albums released over the past 12 months, has unveiled its 12 nominated records ahead of this year's ceremony in Newcastle this October.
Among the biggest talking points is a first-ever Mercury Prize nomination for music legend and northern icon Sir Paul McCartney, whose latest album The Boys Of Dungeon Lane has earned him a place on the shortlist.
Elsewhere representing the north, Newcastle jazz collective Knats have been shortlisted for A Great Day In Newcastle while jungle pioneer Nia Archives, who comes from Bradford, is recognised for her acclaimed album Emotional Junglist.
Image: Audio North
Another artist flying the Newcastle flag is JADE with her debut solo album That's Showbiz Baby!, whilst other notable nominations include Olivia Dean, RAYE and and the charity compilation HELP(2) from War Child Records.
The full 2026 Mercury Prize shortlist is:
Paul McCartney – The Boys Of Dungeon Lane
Olivia Dean – The Art Of Loving
RAYE – This Music May Contain Hope
Dave – The Boy Who Played The Harp
Florence + The Machine – Everybody Scream
Dove Ellis – Blizzard
Knats – A Great Day In Newcastle
Kojey Radical – Don't Look Down
JADE – That's Showbiz Baby!
Nia Archives – Emotional Junglist
Suede – Antidepressants
War Child Records – HELP(2)
This year's Mercury Prize ceremony will return to Newcastle's Utilita Arena on Thursday 22 October after the city successfully hosted the awards for the first time last year.
The 2025 event saw hometown hero Sam Fender take home the coveted prize for People Watching, and who knows - maybe The Toon will bag another prize for a hometown hero.
The Maccabees at Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds – stage times, lineup, setlist and tickets
Daisy Jackson
It's finally time - indie heroes The Maccabees will be performing a huge headline gig at Kirkstall Abbey this week, with a lineup of fellow indie heavyweights.
The renowned quintet reunited for a comeback tour last year, and have spent this summer performing at some of the UK's finest open-air venues.
Now, it's Leeds' turn, as The Maccabees take to the Kirkstall Abbey stage on Friday 31 July, along with Maxïmo Park, Everything Everything, Mystery Jets, and Fiona Lee.
The Maccabees guitarist Felix White said at the time they announced their summer gigs: "The year we’ve just had was so special to all of us, and so unexpected, that it has put some momentum in everyone collectively …. and who wouldn’t want to do all that again?"
If you're going along to The Maccabees at Kirkstall Abbey, we've rounded up everything you need to know.
Are there still tickets for The Maccabees in Leeds?
At the time of writing, there are still tickets available to see The Maccabees at Kirkstall Abbey.
General admission tickets are priced at £64.45, with premium admission standing priced at £97.45.
You can see the latest availability and grab your tickets HERE.
Who else is on the lineup?
The Maccabees perform at Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds this week. Credit: Supplied
The main support act for The Maccabees in Leeds will be the brilliant Maxïmo Park, a Newcastle group who absolutely dominated the indie-alternative scene in the 2000s with their breakthrough debut album, A Certain Trigger.
But there's a lot more to this stacked lineup than that - The Maccabees have pulled together an almighty night of legendary indie bands to support them at Kirkstall Abbey.
Also performing will be Salford's finest art rock export, Everything Everything, who'll be performing their earworm hits like No Reptiles, Distant Past, and Cough Cough.
Before that, it will be Mystery Jets on the Kirkstall Abbey stage, who return with new album A Hole To See The Sky Through next month.
And opening the stage for the night is East Yorkshire lass Fiona Lee, who release EP Every Woman earlier this year.
Stage times for The Maccabees
Gates - 4pm
Fiona Lee - 4.45pm - 5.15pm
Mystery Jets - 5.45pm - 6.15pm
Everything Everything - 6.45pm - 7.30pm
Maxïmo Park - 8pm - 8.45pm
The Maccabees - 9.15pm - 10.30pm
Last entry will be 8.30pm.
The Maccabees expected setlist
The Maccabees have had a busy summer on the festival circuit, but based on their headline gig at The Eden Project earlier this month, this is likely to be their setlist:
Love You Better
Latchmere
Lego
Feel to Follow
Kamakura
Wall of Arms
First Love
Precious Time
Can You Give It
Spit It Out
Toothpaste Kisses
X-Ray
Marks to Prove It
Ballad Of So Long
Something Like Happiness
Encore:
Something Like Happiness
No Kind Words
Pelican
What does a Premium ticket get you?
If you're thinking of making your night a little fancier, there's a Premium area in Kirkstall Abbey that includes all of this:
Premium Entrance (please note this opens at the same time as all gates)
Premium Hang Out Area located in the Historic Abbey’s Cloister with Private bar and toilets.
Live at Kirkstall Abbey map
Getting to Kirkstall Abbey
You can pre-book parking, which will open at 3.30pm for The Maccabees. g.
Entry to Kirkstall Abbey Car park is located next to Abbey House Museum on Abbey Walk in Kirkstall (LS5 3EJ).
But fans are urged to use public transport or travel on foot wherever possible.
Kirkstall Abbey has two local train stations nearby; Kirkstall Forge is located approximately 1.3 miles from Kirkstall Abbey and Headingley Station is approximately 0.7 miles.
There are several bus stops near Kirkstall Abbey too, for more information visit here.
Sophie Smith -
23rd December 2022 
