Opera North's Autumn 2015 Season brochure

Kiss Me, Kate The Barber of Seville Jenufa 21 Sep – 31 Oct 2015 Leeds Grand Theatre operanorth.co.uk

Cole Porter 1948

Cast Includes

Lilli Vanessi / Katherine Jeni Bern Fred Graham / Petruchio Quirijn de Lang Lois Lane / Bianca Tiffany Graves Bill Calhoun / Lucentio Ashley Day Gunmen John Savournin / Joseph Shovelton Hortensio Callum Train Gremio Emmanuel Kojo Conductor David Charles Abell Director Jo Davies Choreographer Will Tuckett Set and Costume Designer Colin Richmond

Duration

Lasts approximately 3 hours Sung in English Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter Book by Bella and Samuel Spewack Critical Edition by David Charles Abell and Seann Alderking

Kiss Me, Kate Set both on and off-stage during the production of a musical version of Shakespeare’s theatrical farce The Taming of the Shrew, Kiss Me, Kate revolves around the tempestuous love lives of actor-producer Fred Graham and his leading lady turned ex-wife, Lilli Vanessi. Add to the mix ingénue Lois Lane and her boyfriend Bill Calhoun – not to mention a couple of gangsters who somehow get caught up in the show – and you’ve got the perfect recipe for an evening of musical mischief that will leave you feeling positively ’WUNDERBAR’!

Studded with some of the greatest classics in American musical theatre including ‘SO IN LOVE’, ‘ALWAYS TRUE TO YOU IN MY FASHION’ and ‘TOO DARN HOT’, Kiss Me, Kate is simultaneously a charming homage to the sparkling wit of Shakespeare and an irresistible celebration of the joy and madness of working in theatre.

See pages 8 & 9 for details.

For this spectacular new production we will join forces with Welsh National Opera. The show will be directed by Jo Davies, whose recent 5-star Figaro was a particular hit with audiences.

Newly choreographed by Will Tuckett from the Royal Ballet and featuring breathtaking designs, a full orchestra and international singing talents including Jeni Bern and Quirijn de Lang, this is simply too good to be missed.

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Before all performances excl. 24 Sep, 6.15pm - 6.45pm.

Speaker: Steven Phillips (Opera North’s Chorus Manager).

Book in advance.

Audio Description by VocalEyes Wed 21 October (see back page for details)

A co-production with

Welsh National Opera

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New production

Free Pre-Performance Talks

operanorth.co.uk

Gioachino Rossini 1816

Cast Includes

Rosina Katie Bray Count Almaviva Nicholas Watts Figaro Gavan Ring Doctor Bartolo Eric Roberts Don Basilio Alastair Miles Berta Victoria Sharp Conductor Stuart Stratford Director Giles Havergal Set and Costume Designer Russell Craig Lighting Designer Gerry Jenkinson English Translation Robert David MacDonald

Duration

Lasts approximately 3 hours Sung in English

SEE MORE SAVE MORE Save up to 15% Photo by Bob Workman

See pages 8 & 9 for details.

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operanorth.co.uk

The Barber of Seville

‘The sort of event to which one could take reluctant opera-goers and stand a good chance of converting them to the habit.’

The Guardian It’s almost impossible to imagine, but when The Barber of Seville was performed for the very first time, it was met with a roar of disapproving boos. Famously, on the second night, Rossini locked himself in his room and had to be forced out to receive the audience’s thunderous applause and standing ovations.

From the playfulness of the famous overture to the fireworks of Figaro! Figaro! Figarooo’s ‘Largo al factotum’, one of opera’s most iconic arias, Giles Havergal’s opulent period production resonates with seasoned regulars and new audience members alike. Lauded for its highly ornamented musical splendour and sheer comedic genius, it features an endless sequence of beguiling tunes, tender bel canto beauty and some of the most surprising and side-splitting plot twists and turns.

A prequel to Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, The Barber of Seville is based on the same trilogy of Beaumarchais plays and tells the story of the dashing young lovers, Rosina and Count Almaviva.

Aided by the inexhaustible and cunning barber Figaro, they brew up a romantic scheme and manage to outwit Rosina’s elderly guardian and fiancé Doctor Bartolo.

Leoš Janáček 1904

Cast Includes

Jenufa Ylva Kihlberg Kostelnička Buryjovka Susan Bickley Grandmother Buryjovka Elizabeth Sikora Števa Buryja Ed Lyon Laca Klemen David Butt Philip Foreman Dean Robinson Karolka Daisy Brown Conductor Aleksandar Marković Director Tom Cairns Set and Costume Designer Tom Cairns Lighting Designer Wolfgang Göbbel Choreographer Aletta Collins English Translation Otakar Kraus and Edward Downes Lasts approximately 2 hours 45 mins Sung in English with English titles

‘An electric evening’ HHHH The Times Jenufa, a young woman living in a remote rural village, is left by her lover when she becomes pregnant with his child. Worried for the family’s reputation, her severe and unyielding stepmother hides Jenufa away for the winter to bear her child.

But when the ice melts, all the shattered hopes of the previous summer are gruesomely revealed.

It took Janáček ten years to complete his first great opera, and in the final year of its composition he witnessed his own daughter’s painful illness and early death. His soul-piercing, folk induced, colourful score is laced with the torment and grief caused by this profound loss. And while devoid of illusion, this operatic masterwork succeeds in delivering a healing promise of freedom and happiness.

Tom Cairns (The Makropulos Case) returns to direct a production acclaimed for its beautifully simple staging and sheer emotional power.

A world-class cast includes Susan Bickley (Waltraute, Götterdämmerung), Elizabeth Sikora (Salud’s Grandmother, La vida breve) and the Swedish soprano Ylva Kihlberg (The Makropulos Case) in the title role.

SEE MORE SAVE MORE Save up to 15% See pages 8 & 9 for details.

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Free Inside Opera

Saturday 24 Oct, 6.00pm – 6.45pm, Howard Assembly Room Members of the cast and creative team offer an exclusive insight into the production. Limited capacity. Book early to avoid disappointment.

All welcome.

Free Pre-Performance Talks

Mon 26 Oct, Wed 28 Oct, 6.15pm - 6.45pm.

Speaker: Sarah Estill (Chorus of Opera North). Book in advance.

See More Save More Save up to 15% plus extras

Advantage Packages Book the full season

// Priority booking // Enjoy gift vouchers

Così fan tutte

L’elisir d’amore

New production GIORDANO

or, The School for Lovers MOZART

The Elixir of Love DONIZETTI

With its open-hearted emotionalism and ardent dramatic lyricism, stirring Andrea Chénier encapsulates the very essence of Italian opera. The title role is one of the most prized in the tenor repertoire – not hard to hear why when you listen to arias such as ‘Un di all’azzurro spazio’.

It’s difficult to think of an opera that contains more music of sheer beauty than Così fan tutte – or that has a libretto that is more unsettling. It all sounds harmless enough and starts with a harmless bet.

But cruelty is inherent in this game of love and chance.

A lively story of rivalry in love, in which the real thing is finally rewarded.

Daniel Slater’s sunny 1950s-style production, complete with a hot-air balloon and Vespas, is a perfect fit for Donizetti’s funny and moving ‘male Cinderella’ tale.

‘there are lots of good Cosìs, but this is in a class apart.’

The Spectator

‘like revisiting a perfect holiday spot...’

The Guardian

3, 10, 13, 18 & 26 February

17, 19, 25 & 27 February

Sung in English.

Sung in Italian with English titles.

Sung in Italian with English titles.

Supported by a generous gift from Terry and Liz Bramall.

KEEP YOUR SEATS & get a £15 gift voucher

Winter 2016 Andrea Chénier

19, 23 January 2, 20 & 24 February

SAVE 15%

Create Your Own Package Book 3 operas

SAVE 10%

& get a £5 gift voucher

Plus, for any package... // Easy payment over up to 9 months // Cheaper parking with discounted pre-paid tickets for Q-Park St John’s Centre, £4 each

// Read your programmes in advance with free postage & packing Programmes £5 each

// No booking fee Terms and conditions apply.

Visit operanorth.co.uk/seasontickets/leeds for full details.

For general enquiries, email seasontickets@operanorth.co.uk or call 0113 223 3700.

Book 4 – 5 operas

SAVE 12.5%

& get a £10 gift voucher

Book 6 operas

SAVE 15%

& get a £15 gift voucher Photo by Tom Arber

2015 – 2016 Season Tickets

We are always seeking to expand perceptions of what an opera company can do by producing and presenting work of the highest quality across a number of artforms to excite, challenge and entertain all of our audiences.

The programme of the Howard Assembly Room brings artists from all over the world to Leeds’ audiences; Opera North’s innovative small scale performances tour the country and the Orchestra of Opera North is the country’s only orchestra that has a year-round dual role in the opera house and concert hall.

Upcoming highlights include: 1 October 2015 7.45pm HAR

Sain Zahoor

BBC World Music Award-winning ‘king’ of Sufi street musicians.

15 October 2015 7.30pm DTH

Howard Shelley & Orchestra of Opera North Beethoven’s 5th Piano Concerto, Op 73, ‘The Emperor.’

24 October 2015 7.30pm HAR

Vox Luminis HAR DTH SG LST

Howard Assembly Room Dewsbury Town Hall Sage Gateshead Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House London

To find out more visit operanorth.co.uk

Gramophone-Award winning vocal ensemble singing music by Purcell.

31 October 2015 7.45pm HAR 20 November 2015 7.45pm SG

The Tiger Lillies: Cole Porter - Love for Sale

The songs of Cole Porter in an evening of delight, despair and delirium.

Friends of Opera North Get closer to the heart of the Company by joining the Friends of Opera North.

From as little as £45 per year, or £3.80 per month, you can directly support the music you love, enjoy exclusive free events and meet our other wonderful Friends.

Benefits include: l Priority booking l A programme of exclusive events l Attend Dress Rehearsals

‘Becoming a Friend of Opera North is the sure-fire way to be a part of what you love.

Meet the cast behind the shows and mingle with like-minded people. Feed your passion become a Friend so we can continue to create the country’s finest productions.’

James Laing, Singer

To request a membership form or for more information call 0113 223 3553 or email friends@operanorth.co.uk

21 November 2015 7.45pm HAR

Huun-Huur-Tu

Legendary, throat-singing wonder from Tuva.

23-28 November 2015, various times LST

The Tiger Lillies: Lulu – A Murder Ballad

Cult cabaret trio perform their brilliantly twisted song cycle inspired

by Wedekind’s heroine.

26 November 2015 7.30pm DTH

David Angus & Orchestra of Opera North Sibelius and Dvorák.

3 December 2015 7.15pm HAR

Mark Padmore & Simon Lepper Lauded British tenor singing Schumann’s Liederkreis Op. 24. and works by Schubert.

Photo by Tristram Kenton

Experience more

Box Office: 0844 848 2720 operanorth.co.uk Leeds Grand Theatre Box Office, 46 New Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6NZ

Dates and times

All performances start at 7.15pm Mon 21 Sep Wed 23 Sep Thu 24 Sep Fri 25 Sep Sat 3 Oct Wed 7 Oct Sat 17 Oct Wed 21 Oct* Thu 22 Oct Fri 23 Oct Sat 24 Oct Mon 26 Oct Tue 27 Oct Wed 28 Oct Thu 29 Oct Fri 30 Oct Sat 31 Oct

Kiss Me, Kate Preview Kiss Me, Kate Preview Kiss Me, Kate Kiss Me, Kate Kiss Me, Kate The Barber of Seville The Barber of Seville Kiss Me, Kate Jenufa The Barber of Seville Jenufa Jenufa The Barber of Seville Jenufa The Barber of Seville Kiss Me, Kate Kiss Me, Kate

* Kiss Me, Kate Wed 21 October: Touch tour at 6.00pm.

Audio Description by VocalEyes including touch tour of the set and costumes.

To book for audio description call 0113 223 3700. Tickets: £15.

Essential companion free.

Kiss Me, Kate Prices

Stalls £45, £39.50, £36.50 Dress Circle £49.50, £39.50, £23.50* Upper Circle £45, £39.50, £36.50, £26, £23.50*, £15* Balcony £30, £26, £15* Upper Balcony £20, £15 Previews

Book before 1st September 2015 and get 50% off top three price groups.

Opera Prices

Stalls £52.50, £45, £37.50 Dress Circle £52.50, £45, £23.50* Upper Circle £52.50, £45, £37.50, £26, £23.50, £15* Balcony £26, £23.50, £15* Upper Balcony £18.50, £15 *Prices include restricted view. Premium seats are available.

No fees are payable for Opera North tickets purchased in person at Leeds Grand Theatre Box Office. A telephone/online booking incurs a £1.50 transaction fee. There is £1 charge for posting out tickets.

See More Save More

See 3+ operas from the 2015-16 season and save up to 15%, plus other great benefits.

Visit operanorth.co.uk/season-tickets/leeds for full details.

Discounts

Monday – Friday

Retired over 60 & Leeds Card holders: £3 off excl. £15 tickets Under 30 or full time students: £10 Upper Balcony Visit operanorth.co.uk/under-30s for details.

All week

For alternative formats of this leaflet please call 0113 223 3500. The theatre is an accessible space. Full access details at leedsgrandtheatre.com or contact the Box Office. @Opera_North facebook.com/OperaNorth The information in this leaflet is published in good faith, but changes may occasionally be necessary.

In the event of unforeseen circumstances Opera North reserves the right to change casts or performances.

Artwork © Opera North

Family ticket: 50% off for up to four aged 18/under with each adult ticket Groups of 10+: 20% off plus one free seat for the organiser Income Support, Pension Credit, JSA, Leeds Card extra: £10 best available excl. Dress Circle Disabled people: 25% off (essential carer free) All offers and discounts are subject to availability and cannot be applied retrospectively. One discount per ticket. Proof of status must be shown.

We reserve the right to change prices.

Dine in Style

Make the most of your night with a delicious meal before the opera.

Visit operanorth.co.uk for details on the various meal deals available.

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