Tag Archives: Orchestra of Opera North

Martinů’s The Greek Passion: an opera for our times

Martinů: The Greek Passion Opera North, Leeds, 14th September 2019 It is a sad reflection on our current climate, where posters depicting queues of refugees are deployed to incite anti-immigrant feelings, that Bohuslav Martinů’s opera The Greek Passion stings with … Continue reading

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Last Rites: Puccini meets Stravinsky in Leeds

The Rite of Spring/ Gianni Schicchi Phoenix Dance Theatre, Opera North, Leeds Grand Theatre, 16th February 2019 Stravinsky’s ballet The Rite of Spring famously caused a riot at its 1913 premiere at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. Demonstrations disrupted the performance, … Continue reading

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Full immersion, total immolation: Götterdämmerung crowns Opera North’s magnificent Ring

Wagner: Götterdämmerung ***** Opera North, Royal Festival Hall, 3rd July 2016 Wagner would have made a dreadful Neighbours scriptwriter. His “Previously inThe Ring” at the start of Götterdämmerung is hardly snappy, as the three Norns wind the rope of destiny and … Continue reading

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Dragonslayer: Siegfried battles valiantly in Opera North’s Ring

Wagner: Siegfried *** Opera North, Royal Festival Hall, 1st July 2016 While the Welsh were merrily slaying Belgians in Euro 2016, one dragon was on the receiving end at the Royal Festival Hall. In the third instalment of Opera North’s … Continue reading

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Disobedient daughter, outraged wife: Wotan’s woes mount in Opera North’s Die Walküre

Wagner: Die Walküre **** Opera North, Royal Festival Hall, 29th June 2016 In Anna Russell’s wittily deadpan analysis of Wagner’s Ring cycle, she describes Wotan as “the head god” – pausing for dramatic effect before adding “and he’s a crashing … Continue reading

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