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.
The Hepworth Wakefield is joining forces with Jarvis Cocker and his wife Kim Sion to create a one-of-a-kind art exhibition.
And it's got the best name ever, titled 'The Hodge Podge'.
This exciting new exhibition (opening in May 2027) will include artists who have challenged mainstream ideas about what can be considered 'art'.
It will invite unlikely conversations between artists such as Jeremy Deller, Peter Doig, Barbara Hepworth, Klara Kristalova, Emma Kunz, Mark Leckey and Agnes Pelton, as well as unknown outsider and visionary artists never exhibited before in UK public museums.
Focusing on alternative means of expression, the structures of class and how communities are able to come together outside of religious or high-brow contexts, Cocker and Sion are keen to explore alternative spiritualities, psychedelia, fandom, dreams, poetry and music.
Laura Smith, Artistic Director of The Hepworth Wakefield comments: "Jarvis Cocker has a long-held interest in art, attending St Martin’s College of Art & Design in the early 1990s, and as a Yorkshireman, felt like the ideal person to work with to consider a fresh way of thinking about and experiencing art.
"The art that he and Kim have gathered together in The Hodge Podge will encourage the feelings of joy, marvel and curiosity that great works of art can inspire and offer our audiences an expanded idea of creativity and community. We are thrilled to be working with Jarvis and Kim on this incredibly exciting exhibition."
In Cocker and Sion’s The Hodge Podge Manifesto, the couple state that te exhibition provides ‘an opportunity to understand where that creative urge comes from and what it can do for you… You’d be a fool to miss it.’
Tickets for The Hodge Podge: Jarvis Cocker & Kim Sion curate The Hepworth Wakefield go on sale later this year and you can find them here.
Ne-Yo and Akon at First Direct Arena – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour
Clementine Hall
Two R&B greats are heading out on a joint headline tour for the first time, as Ne-Yo and Akon visit Leeds' First Direct Arena.
Both artists are Grammy Award winners, and each has a formidable back catalogue of chart-topping hits.
For Ne-Yo, that includes songs like Miss Independent, So Sick, and Closer; while for Akon, he’s responsible for huge tracks like Smack That, Lonelty, and Right Now (Na Na Na).
Between them, they’ve shaped and defined radio, nightlife, and pop culture for decades.
This 2026 tour will see the pair performing on the same stage – for Leeds that's the First Direct Arena – for a co-headline Nights Like This tour.
Tonight, Thursday 30 April, they’ll perform in a unique back-and-forth set throughout the show.
You might have already seen some pretty iconic videos of their tour already circulating the internet, so it's safe to say you're in for a treat.
The nostalgic gigs will feature everything from slow jams to club anthems, with a party atmosphere throughout.
Are there tickets left for Ne-Yo and Akon at First Direct Arena?
It looks like tickets are limited for tonight, but you may be able to grab a few last minute ones HERE via Ticketmaster.
Ne-yo and Akon setlist for 2026 tour
Judging by previous nights of the tour, the current set list is looking like this...
Ne-Yo
The Way You Make Me Feel (Michael Jackson cover) (Snippet)
Miss Independent
Because Of You
Nobody
Champagne Life
One in a Million
Akon
Akon's Beautiful Day
Smack That
I'm So Paid
Locked Up
Soul Survivor (Jeezy cover)
Ne-Yo
She Knows
Single
Mirror
Sexy Love
Akon
Bananza (Belly Dancer)
Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill) (Wyclef Jean cover)
Bartender (T‐Pain cover)
Body on me (Ashanti cover)
Dangerous (Kardinal Offishall cover)
Songs Ne-Yo/Akon Produced
Let Me Love You (Mario cover)
Titanium (David Guetta/Sia Cover) / Take A Bow (Rihanna Cover) / Drunk In Love (Beyoncé Cover) / Irreplaceable (Beyoncé Cover) / Just Dance (Lady Gaga)
Akon
Don't Matter
Danza Kuduro (Remix)
The Sweet Escape (Gwen Stefani song)
Shut It Down (Pitbull song)
Angel
Ghetto
Sorry, Blame It On Me
Lonely
Ne-Yo
So Sick
Mad
NIGHTS LIKE THESE
Simple Things
Up Out & Gone
Beautiful Monster
Closer
Akon
QUE CALOR (Akon crowd surfs in an inflatable ball)
I Wanna Love You
Right Now (Na Na Na)
Beautiful
Sexy Bitch (David Guetta cover)
Til the Sun Rise Up (Bob Sinclair cover)
Ne-Yo
Let's Go
Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)
Time of Our Lives
Give Me Everything
Encore:
Play Hard (David Guetta cover) - Akon & Ne-Yo on stage
Stage times for Ne-Yo and Akon at First Direct Arena
Doors open: 6.30pm
Gig starts: 8pm
Gig ends: 11pm
How to get to First Direct Arena
Bus Station
Located on Dyer Street next to Leeds City Bus Station and approx. 15min walk from first direct arena and is wheelchair friendly.
Support and help for any persons with a disability is available as the station is a registered ‘Safe place’ to come into and ask for assistance.
Nearest Bus Stops
Clay Pit Lane
Wade Lane/Lovell Park Road
Woodhouse Lane
Nearest Train Station
Leeds City Station on New Station Street is around a 15min walk from first direct arena and a major hub on the national, regional and local rail network providing connections to a wide variety of destinations.
Parking
There are over 7,500 car parking spaces within a 15-minute walk of the arena. The arena doesn’t have it’s own car park however there are lots of options nearby. To receive 5% off Q Park when attending a show at first direct arena click here
The nearest Car Park with EV charging is located on Albion Street click here.
None of the above car parks are operated by the arena so for questions, queries or comments we ask that you contact the companies directly.
Hiring Bikes in Leeds
If you’re looking to hire a bike in Leeds, here are some of the best options you can try:
Beryl bikes – you’ll find the ‘Leeds City Bikes’ from Beryl stationed throughout the city. These are all e-bikes, and they’re available to hire on a pay-as-you-go basis. It costs £1 to unlock the bikes, and then 16p per minute to use them. We’d say these are great for zipping around the city and getting from A to B.
Talio – for a wider selection of electric bikes to choose from, Talio based at Buslinthorpe Green is a great option. From this company, you can hire cruiser bikes, mountain bikes, and cargo bikes. Prices start from £20 per day for rental, but if you’re hiring for a month or longer you’ll get a good discount.
Clementine Hall -
30th January 2023 
