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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Jarvis Cocker and Kim Sion to curate special art exhibition titled ‘The Hodge Podge’ at The Hepworth Wakefield
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.
Sophie Smith -
23rd December 2022 
