Here’s everything you need to know about Opera North’s current season - including what’s on, how to get tickets from just £10 and what to expect.
The opera is a fantastic experience for music, drama and theatre lovers around the world. Bringing people together with mesmerising performances, impressive vocals and exciting costumes leaves the audience on the edge of their seats every single time, regardless of what you’re watching.
Here in Leeds we’re fortunate enough to have Opera North on our doorstep to bring this to life. The company is highly regarded as a leading arts organisation outside London, and this reason alone was enough to put our city on the map as one of the best travel destinations in 2023.
Fancy finding out what all the fuss is about?
Whether you’re looking to dip your toe into the wonderful world of opera or you’re a seasoned professional who’s familiar with the art form, we’ve got you covered with a handy guide to keep you up to date with everything going on at Opera North.
What's on
Image: Opera North
Tosca
21 January – 1 April 2023, Leeds Grand Theatre
Opera North have kicked off the season with a bang by bringing to the stage a dazzling portrayal of Puccini’s classic opera, Tosca.
A timeless thriller, this three-part opera takes you on a mesmerising journey of performance and sound that’ll leave you on the edge of your seat. Think passion, blackmail and murder!
You can learn more about Tosca, and how to grab tickets here.
The Cunning Little Vixen
4 February – 1 April 2023, Leeds Grand Theatre
This bittersweet fairy tale will transport you to the depths of the forest and take you on an emotional yet life-affirming journey.
Expect energising, folk-infused melodies sung by a flurry of mischievous creatures who join our protagonist, Vixen Sharp Ears, as she embarks on an adventure to take on the world.
First timers at the opera will absolutely love this option. This production is sung in English (with surtitles too!) so it allows just about everyone to follow the storyline through the heartfelt vocals, as well as the actual performance itself.
You can learn more about The Cunning Little Vixen, and how to grab tickets here.
Ariadne auf Naxos
18 February – 24 March 2023, Leeds Grand Theatre
Directed by multi-award nominated Rodula Gaitanou, this humorous, romantic, and drama-filled production will tell the tale of a bustling 1950s Italian studio where two films are about to be made.
One’s a heartbreaking myth, the other a light-hearted comedy - imagine the mischief that unfolds when disaster strikes and the films suddenly become one…
You can learn more about Ariadne auf Naxos, and how to grab tickets here.
Ariadne auf Naxos in rehearsal. / Image: Opera North
What you need to know before you go
The opera is an all-inclusive, unique, and extraordinary art form which everyone should have the pleasure of experiencing at least once in their life.
Naturally, if you haven’t been to the opera before then of course it can feel daunting but with all the helpful information and options available, it doesn’t have to be.
Opera North does a stellar job of ensuring that it is accessible to everyone: from the ticket prices to the dress code (or lack thereof), anyone can go and enjoy a magical evening full of music, storytelling and of course, drama.
Dress Code
We know what you’re thinking, as soon as you hear the word ‘opera’ you immediately think of ball gowns, tiaras, high heels, and dicky bows but at Opera North, that is simply not the case.
There is no official dress code for Opera North performances, if you fancy dressing up and making a night out of it then feel free to but equally, jeans and a jumper fit right in too. It’s your night so wear what you feel comfortable in.
Image: Tom Arber
What to expect
Most operas average between two to three hours in length including an interval where you can stretch your legs and grab a drink if you fancy.
Many operas are performed in their original language (French, German or Italian) but they will always be surtitled, meaning an English translation handily appears on a screen to the side of the stage. So, you don’t have to worry about missing anything or not understanding any juicy parts of the action.
Tickets
Ticket prices range from just £15 to £80.50. Those aged 16-20 can access completely free tickets with Under 30 Members able to grab tickets at a discounted rate of £10 each.
If you want to bring a friend that falls into the same age bracket, they’ll receive the same discounted rate as you. What a winner!
You can find out all about this exciting offer here.
Try it ON
It’s a new year which means if you’ve been thinking about trying something new, then now’s the time.
Opera North’s Try It ON scheme is the perfect opportunity to delve into the world of opera - go in with an open mind and prepare to have all your preconceptions blown out of the water.
Image: Richard H Smith
So how does it work? For just £20 each you can get your hands on two fantastic tickets to a performance of your choice alongside a tote bag filled with goodies. You’ll also get exclusive offers after the show so that you can continue to enjoy your newfound hobby.
Why have one northern city when you can have two? Sharan, our latest Artist of the Month, was born in Leeds and is now based in Liverpool.
Giving herself the titles of DJ, workshop facilitator and community advocate while also balancing life as a cardiac physiologist – is there anything Sharan can’t do?
This multi-talented music maker has played sets for Crop Radio, supported Sammy Virji, Barry Can’t Swim, SBTRKT and even soundtracked Liverpool FC’s official store ahead of a new kit launch.
Her sets cover all different music genres, meaning she can fit and curate any vibe, including UK funk, Amapiano, house and more.
Images: Press shots
An interview with Sharan – Audio North’s Artist of the Month
Now, the Leeds-born DJ takes a break from the decks, community programmes and medical assistance to chat about being Audio North‘s latest Artist of the Month.
What music did you grow up listening to?
I’ve always been around music. My Dad brought me up on Queen and then when I got to school my best friend listened to Bassline, UK Funky and I downloaded all these songs onto my Blackberry.
Annie Mac and Hannah Wants were real inspirations for me growing up and seeing female DJs in the media is great.
Tell us about the work you do in the DJ community?
I’m originally from Leeds but moved to Liverpool for work four years ago and I’ve become quite heavily involved in the DJ community. I do workshops through ‘Decks in the City‘; I’m a DJ Programmer for Dishoom and I play gigs across the North too.
Why do you want to give back to the DJ scene?
I joined a charity called Getaway Girls, who I still am with today, and I joined a music group through them and I remember decks being in the corner of the room and being intrigued. Then, at 14 I started going to their music workshops.
They’re the reason I got into music and inspired me to want to make the music industry a fairer place for women as well as advocating for women in music.
I love teaching women how to get into music or giving them the opportunity they wouldn’t necessarily have.
What do you hope to achieve through your DJ workshops?
I believe everyone should have the chance to try out being a DJ, or more broadly just have a go at learning a new skill in relation to music.
I want to give everyone a fair and equal chance to learn how to DJ and that’s why the courses I do are accessible and affordable.
As a South Asian DJ who’s also a woman, I want to encourage women and anyone from underrepresented communities to get involved.
In the long run, I’d love to improve festival line-ups and make the distribution of live music opportunities fairer.
What have been some of your favourite experiences as a DJ so far?
Alongside my community work, I’ve played at Leeds Festival for JD Sports and supported some big acts including Barry Can’t Swim, Virji, SBTRKT and Girls Don’t Sync.
What’s one fun fact about you?
I’m not just a DJ, I’m also a cardiac physiologist. It’s a really big part of my life aside from being a DJ. I balance the two together, I’m passionate about both.
How does your heritage influence your work?
I’m South Asian and I remember the Bend It Like Beckham soundtrack so vividly growing up. It fused British pop with Bhangra and Bollywood, it was revolutionary.
Even the storyline of the film itself resonates with me, watching the girl pursuing football against her parents wishes, something I’m doing by going against ‘the norm’ through following my dream of being a DJ.
I love this film and soundtrack so much that I wrote an article about this which explores the soundtrack and its impact on British Asian Youth.
Featured Images – The Manc Group/Press Shots (supplied via Liam Heeley)
Audio
Courteeners to play huge Leeds gig as part of upcoming UK tour
Daisy Jackson
Courteeners have just announced a UK tour including a date at Leeds' First Direct Bank Arena.
The indie rock legends have just confirmed that they're heading back out on tour, and of course they'll be returning to Leeds.
The news comes alongside an announcement for a best-of album, God Bless The Band.
Courteeners will be playing the Leeds First Direct Arena, London’s Alexandra Palace, Cardiff Utilita Arena, Liverpool M&S Bank Arena, Glasgow OVO Hydro and Birmingham Utilita Arena this autumn.
That comes in addition to their existing live shows this summer, which include an almighty outdoor summer show at Wythenshawe Park.
Courteeners have also released a new single, The Luckiest Man Alive.
£1 + VAT from every ticket sold will be donated to the newly launched LIVE Trust, a new funding initiative from LIVE that will offer much-needed financial support to those working across live music.
“It’s fantastic to see Courteeners supporting the LIVE Trust with a £1 per ticket contribution on their upcoming tour, building on their commitment for the Wythenshawe Park show in August,” said Jon Collins, CEO of the LIVE Trust. “This donation will directly benefit the full grassroots ecosystem – from venues and artists to promoters and festivals – helping to protect, expand and support grassroots music across the UK.”
Speaking about the release, Liam Fray says “In October it’s 20 years since our first gig, so with a couple of new songs fresh from the studio, the timing just seemed right for a Best Of. If we mean half as much to people as they have done to us over the years, then we’ve not done too bad. We look forward to seeing you down the front God Bless The Fans x”
Newly Announced Courteeners Arena Dates
Fri 06 Nov Leeds, First Direct Arena
Sat 07 Nov Cardiff, Utilita Arena
Fri 13 Nov Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena
Sat 14 Nov London, Alexandra Palace
Fri 20 Nov Glasgow, OVO Hydro
Sat 21 Nov Birmingham, Utilita Arena
Pre-sale tickets go on sale Wednesday 15 April. General sale from Friday 17 April from ticketmaster.co.uk and gigsandtours.com.
Additional Summer Shows already announced:
Thu 23 Jul Stoke-On-Trent, Victoria Hall (sold out)
Sat 25 July Sheffield, Tramlines (festival headline, sold out)
Thu 27 Aug Leicester, O2 Academy (sold out)
Sat 29 Aug Manchester, Wythenshawe Park (sold out)
Clementine Hall -
30th January 2023 
