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Requiem: a reimagining of Mozart’s masterpiece is coming to Leeds this week
Conceived during the pandemic and brought to the stage for LEEDS2023, Opera North's Requiem pairs Mozart’s mysterious, timeless work with a brand-new composition from South African composer Neo Muyanga.
Leeds' own Opera North and Phoenix Dance Theatre have collaborated with South African partners Jazzart Dance Theatre and Cape Town Opera on Requiem, a powerful double bill of contemporary dance performed to choral and orchestral music.
If you've been looking for an excuse to get yourself down to Leeds Grand Theatre and immersed in a passionate, transformative live experience, this is the perfect chance.
Mozart’s famous Requiem actually features (if legend is to be believed) the last eight bars of music he ever wrote – fittingly for a composition that takes its name from the prayer, ‘Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine’: ‘Grant them eternal rest, Lord’.
Vuyelwa Phota from Jazzart Dance Theatre in rehearsal for Requiem. / Image: Tom Arber
Over the 200 years since then, the Requiem has become its own genre. Huge names like Andrew Lloyd Webber have created their own versions, responding to the needs of each generation to think about and commemorate life and death.
Conceived during the pandemic and brought to the stage for LEEDS2023, Opera North's Requiem pairs Mozart’s mysterious, timeless work with a brand-new composition from South African composer Neo Muyanga.
Inspired by a recent custom in his country of gathering to celebrate the life of the deceased with loud, vibrant dance music, After Tears: After a Requiem is full of the colour and rhythms of the townships: a joyous, extroverted complement to Mozart’s work of remembrance. Neo calls it “a cleansing ceremony… a rallying call for individuals to work collectively, with empathy, to rebuild after a period of distress and loss”.
Choreographer Dane Hurst works with the Chorus of Opera North in rehearsal for Requiem. / Image: Tom Arber
Both pieces feature the might of the full Orchestra of Opera North in the pit and – onstage among the dancers – the 36 singers of the Chorus of Opera North. Dane Hurst, who choreographed both works, explains that he “tried to see how the body could convey the enormity of loss, grief and sadness felt and experienced by millions of people who have lost those dearest to them."
Whether you're familiar with music and dance or looking for an introduction to both art forms from world-class companies from Leeds and across the globe, Requiem's combination of movement, music and collective emotion promises a unique experience that’s unlikely to be repeated any time soon.
The full performance schedule is as followed:
Friday 26 May 2023 from 7pm at Leeds Grand Theatre (tickets here)
Tuesday 30 May 2023 from 7pm at Leeds Grand Theatre (tickets here)
Thursday 1 June 2023 from 7pm at Leeds Grand Theatre (tickets here)
Saturday 3 June 2023 from 7pm at Leeds Grand Theatre (tickets here)
Sunday 4 June 2023 from 2.30pm at Leeds Grand Theatre (tickets here)
How to get tickets
Ticket prices range from just £10, with a host of exciting offers to explore.
If you're aged 16-20 can access completely free tickets and the Under 30 Membership gives you discounted rate for £10 tickets.
Opera North’s Try It ON scheme is the perfect opportunity to delve into the world of opera – and gives you two fantastic seats for Requiem, along with a tote bag filled with goodies and exclusive offers, it's ideal for first timers to test out the wonderful world of opera.
Hannah McGlashon from Phoenix and Abigail Overmeyer from Jazzart in rehearsal for Requiem. / Image: Tom Arber
Silver's Bakehouse is finally here, and it's just as fabulous as we'd hoped.
Just when you thought Leeds’ favourite sandwich spot couldn't get any better, they go and open a bakery.
Silver's Bakehouse has opened its beautiful pastel green doors today over in Farsley to queues of excited fans eager to get their first taste.
So, what's on offer at Silver's Bakehouse?
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Well, as masterminds of the almighty sandwich you'll be happy to know you can still get one here. However, their iconic sub sarnies have had an Italian makeover and are now served in fresh, springy sourdough which is baked onsite.
Elsewhere on the menu you'll find brown butter buttermilk brownies (try saying that three times), a range of delicious cookies, sausage rolls, soft amaretti biscuits and Dark Arts tiramisu.
There's also a fab selection of Italian drinks on offer in a swanky new fridge, as well as a coffee menu so you can pick a brew to go hand in hand with your chosen baked good.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The interior is just as gorgeous, complete with yellow walls, red tiles and a mirror hanging above the baker's table so you can really see all the magic happen.
And trust us, it is magic.
There's a couple of benches outside so you can plonk yourself in the sunshine to enjoy your sarnie, which is what we'll be doing in this glorious bank holiday sunshine.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can really tell this is a proper labour of love, and Chris and the team have done a cracking job of keeping that Silver's spirit in there.
Go and say hello to congratulate them on this fabulous new opening, it's a great addition to Farsley and the Leeds foodie scene.
The Script announce HUGE arena gig in Leeds this year
Thomas Melia
Boyband and radio hitmakers The Script are coming to Leeds and are playing out alongside an equally big support act.
'For the First Time' in almost a year, The Script are playing a run of live shows across the UK including Leeds' First Direct Arena.
This Irish-based band have soundtracked generations with their hits spanning two decades including 'Hall of Fame', 'Breakeven', 'Superheroes' and more.
Consisting of lead vocalist Danny O'Donoghue with Benjamin Seargent on bass, guitarist Ben Weaver and drummer Adam Marcello, their music fuses pop and rock.
The Script has released three albums that have topped both UK and Ireland charts as well as four Top 10 singles and they're hoping to reign supreme on the charts once more with upcoming LP The User's Guide to Being Human.
Although the full album doesn't drop until August, Danny and the rest of the lads have dropped a single titled 'Man In The Arena'.
There's even a nod to the Northern music scene on the tracklist as one of the upcoming releases is labelled 'The Crowd Was Singing Wonderwall'.
Other tracks on this LP include 'Living Our Life Without Me', 'I'm 100 Different People' and a song that's sure to get a few tears out of all of us - 'Grow Old with Grace'.
As well as announcing this new run of shows set for Winter 2026, The Script are joining Take That on a stadium tour titled The Circus Live across June and July.
Joining The Script on their latest UK tour this Winter is James Morrison known for similar ballad-like hits including 'Broken Strings' and 'Wonderful World'.
The Script UK tour dates
Mon 2 November - Belfast, UK - SSE Arena
Thu 5 November - Newcastle, UK - Utilita Arena
Fri 6 November - Birmingham, UK - Utilita Arena
Sat 7 November - Manchester, UK - Co-op Live
Mon 9 November - Nottingham, UK - Motorpoint Arena
Tue 10 November - Leeds, UK - First Direct Bank Arena
Thu 12 November - Aberdeen, UK - P&J Live
Fri 13 November - Glasgow, UK - OVO Hydro
Sat 14 November - Sheffield, UK - Utilita Arena
Mon 16 November - Bournemouth, UK - Bournemouth International Centre
Thu 19 November - Liverpool, UK - M&S Bank Arena
Sat 21 November - London, UK - The O2
The Script are visiting First Direct Arena on Tuesday 10 November 2026 for their The Man In The Arena Tour with tickets and more info HERE.
Sophie Smith -
23rd May 2023 
