Press Release
1 October 2014
BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED NEW STUDY OF OPERA NORTH TO BE LAUNCHED AT YORKSHIRE EVENT
A new book,Opera North: Historical and Dramaturgical Perspectives on Opera Studies, will be officially launched on Tuesday 28 October, detailing the history and inner workings of Opera North.
A universal reference for opera scholars, opera workers and opera lovers, this work explores issues relating to the production of opera through history, ethnography and production analysis. Opera North, based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, is presented through a historical lens within the UK operatic landscape, drawing on extensive archives and interview material. The book is beautifully illustrated with photographs from Opera North’s 35 year history. The workplace behaviour of an opera company is explored in its rehearsal and performance spaces, and the production cycle from first music rehearsal to first night is traced through detailed observation and photographic records.
Written by Dr Kara McKechnie from the University of Leeds, and published by Emerald Group Publishing,the global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society, the fully illustrated study is the result of more than four years of detailed research and close observation of Opera North. It delves deep into the Company's past, from its roots in 1978, when George Lascelles, then Earl of Harewood, founded the organisation, originally named English National Opera North, as the first large-scale lyric opera company in the north.
Opera North was created with the express intention of bringing the highest quality opera to the stages of the north of England, with an egalitarian spirit and a conviction that great opera is for everybody. Over thirty-five years later, Opera North continues its remit as a touring company, and is widely praised as one of the UK's boldest and most adventurous producers of opera.
Dr McKechnie, a specialist in opera studies and Lecturer in Dramaturgy and Literary Management at the University’s School of Performance and Cultural Industries, has been granted unprecedented access to Opera North's archives and day-to-day workings, made possible through DARE, Opera North's long-standing collaboration with the University of Leeds. She gained a huge insight into the creative processes behind productions, from the earliest planning stages to observing rehearsals for a large number of Opera North shows, including Don Giovanni (2012), and Peter Grimes (2013).
Dr Kara McKechnie comments:
“It has been an intense and inspiring four years of research, thanks to the generous support, openness and artistic excellence of everyone at Opera North. The book is compiled from extensive and varied archive resources, in-depth conversations with key staff past and present and detailed observation of the company’s production processes.
“With its interdisciplinary research agenda, the study also aims to cater for audiences beyond the academic sphere, such as Friends, Patrons and audiences of Opera North, experts in their own right, as well as readers involved in the opera industry. It aims to reflect Opera North’s principle that opera is for everyone.”
Richard Mantle, General Director of Opera North, comments:
“I am immensely pleased to celebrate the publication of Dr Kara McKechnie’s study of Opera North, a fascinating exploration of this company’s history and work. Over the past four years while researching this book, Kara has become part of the Opera North family – a closeness which has truly enabled her to capture the spirit and ethos of who we are as a company, and a real insight into the artistic work which we produce for our audiences.”
Opera North: Historical and Dramaturgical Perspectives on Opera Studies, by Dr Kara McKechnie, is published by Emerald in October 2014 (ISBN: 9781783505012). Priced at £49.95, it is available to order online via Emerald Books:
To read excerpts from the book, view the table of contents and access the synopsis, visit
The book's official launch will be celebrated in an event at the Howard Assembly Room at Opera North on Tuesday 28 October 2014 from 6 until 8pm. Members of the press are welcome and should arrange attendance by contacting Julia Gregg, Press and PR Manager, Opera North on 0113 223 3526 or
/ENDS
Notes to Editors:
About Emerald:
Emerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,300 books and book series volumes. It also provides an extensive range of value-added products, resources and services to support its customers’ needs.
Emerald is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation. It also works in close collaboration with a number of organizations and associations worldwide.
About Opera North
Opera North is England’s national opera company in the North and one of Europe’s leading arts organisations. The Company is committed to producing work of the highest quality that excites, challenges and entertains. It tours not only throughout the North of England and to London, but also to opera houses on the continent in cities such as Prague and Barcelona, and it performs at major international festivals including Edinburgh and Ravenna.
Opera North is a vibrant, lively organisation which actively challenges conventional perceptions of opera. Breathing new life into the classics, the Company is also a strong advocate of lesser-known works and a champion of musical theatre. Opera North collaborates with artists and companies working in a variety of media, including film and visual art. Its versatileChorusandOrchestraalso perform independently, constantly revitalising their approaches to music-making.
Creativity and the development of individual skills is important throughout the Company from performers to the highly talented team of technical, production and management staff.Opera North Educationis one of the leading arts education departments in the country. The team delivers a range of workshops and creative projects, encouraging young people and communities to explore the art form of opera. Opera North is proud of its northern roots and provides a valuable resource for the cultural life of the region and for the development of young talent.
About DARE:
DARE is a unique collaboration between Opera North and the University of Leeds, now in its eighth year. The partnership combines the very best of both organisations to deliver an outstanding and challenging programme, which leads cultural thought, learning and practice. Over 150 projects have been initiated since the creation of DARE in 2006, engaging practitioners, academics, students and audiences.
For more information and images:
Emerald contact:
Natasha Hartley, PR Executive, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
01274 777700 |
Opera North contact:
Julia Gregg, Press & PR Manager
0113 223 3526 |