Press Release

4 November 2014

CAROLS, CHOIRS AND CONCERTS THIS CHRISTMAS AT OPERA NORTH

This December Opera North is offering a packed Christmas line-up with everything from orchestra concerts to moving chamber music. Opera North presents the very sound of Christmas with such well loved classics as ‘Walking in the Air’ from The Snowman, performed across the regionat HuddersfieldTown Hall, LeedsTown Hall and the Howard Assembly Room.

Kicking off the seasonal celebrations, the Chorus and Orchestra of Opera North perform A Joyous Christmas(11 Dec). This ever popular annual Dewsbury Christmas concert presents the season’s finest music, including Bach and Mendelssohn and exquisite Christmas carols by the English composer John Rutter. There will be plenty of opportunities to join in the festivities, with family Christmas favourites​‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’, ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ and‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’.

Festively decked for the season, the Howard Assembly Room presents a range of seasonal celebrations as the cold nights draw in. For a truly unique experience,Bulgarian Voices Angelite(13 Dec) deliver a festive alternative to the Dickensian style Christmas we all know and love. Their distinctive styleof singing and ornamentation is inspired by centuries of Bulgarian tradition, blending classical and folk music for a twist on the classic Christmas atmosphere.

Discover the magic of the Tallis Scholars(18 Dec) this winter. Presenting a programme of Taverner, Byrd and Turgesthis beautifully moving concert promises to delight with pure tones and exquisite harmonies.

The candle-litHoward Assembly Room welcomes one and all to Christmas at Twilight(19 Dec). Featuring a mix of medieval harmonies, folk songs and carols, make thisyear a Christmas to remember with a concert like no other! From Tchaikovsky to Taverner, cellist Matthew Sharp and a cappella vocal trio Voice draw together festive folk songs and carols for a unique Christmas concert.

Share some New Year cheer with theViennese Whirl. One of the season’s highlights for many, this rousing concert features Viennese classics such as JohanStrauss II’sDie Fledermaus Overture and‘On the Beautiful Blue Danube’, andOffenbach’sOverture toOrpheus in the Underworld. Conducted by Tobias Ringborg (also solo violin) and Michael Weinius (also Tenor soloist), presented by Mark Forrest, this concert promises to delight audiences at LeedsTown Hall,HuddersfieldTown Hall and the Royal Hall, Harrogate.

ENDS/

Listings:

Music: A Joyous Christmas

DewsburyTown Hall

11 Dec 2014, 7:30pm

Programme includes J S Bach Christmas Oratorio: Part I; Hess Christmas Overture, Mendelssohn Christus, Shaw How Far is it to Bethlehem, arr. Rutter The Twelve Days of Christmas, Shepherd’s Pipe Carol; Once in Royal David’s City and O Little Town of Bethlehem.

Anthony Kraus Conductor

£7 - £19

Box Office: 01484 221900

kirklees.gov.uk/townhalls

Bulgarian Voices Angelite

Howard Assembly Room

13 Dec 2014, 7:45pm

Blending classical and folk music, the wonderful 20 strong all-female ensemble perform a programme for Christmas time.

£17.50

Box Office: 0844 848 2727

howardassemblyroom.co.uk

Tallis Scholars

Howard Assembly Room

18 Dec 2014, 7:45pm

A programme of English Renaissance music, focusing on composer William Byrd, the Tallis Scholars perform a festive and moving concert for the holiday season.

£22.50

Box Office: 0844 848 2727

howardassemblyroom.co.uk

Christmas at Twilight

Howard Assembly Room

19 Dec 2014, 6:15pm

In a holly-decked, candle-lit Howard Assembly Room, cellist Matthew Sharp, a cappella vocal trio Voice and a group of musicians draw a wonderful array of music for a unique Christmas concert.

£5

Box Office: 0844 848 2727

howardassemblyroom.co.uk

Music: The Nutcracker & The Snowman

LeedsTown Hall

21 Dec 2014, 3:00pm

Excerpts from Howard Blake’s The Snowman and Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker.

Tim Lihoreau narrator

Neil Thomson conductor

£16 - £25

Box Office: 0113 224 3801

leedstownhall.co.uk

Music: Viennese Whirl

LeedsTown Hall

28 Dec 2014, 3:00pm

Concert includes: Johann Strauss II Die Fledermaus: Overture, Kreisler ‘Viennese Rhapsody’, Offenbach Orpheus in the Underworld: Overture, Josef Strauss ‘Jockey Polka’, Johann & Josef Strauss ‘Pizzicato Polka’, Richard Strauss Der Rosenkavalier: Waltzes, Lehár The Land of Smiles: ‘Dein ist mein ganzes Herz’ and Johann Strauss II ‘On the Beautiful Blue Danube’.

Tobias Ringborg Conductor/Violin

Michael Weinius Tenor/Conductor

Mark Forrest Presenter

£8 - £27

Box Office: 0113 224 3801

leedstownhall.co.uk

Music: Viennese Whirl

HuddersfieldTown Hall

29 Dec 2014, 3:00pm

Concert includes: Johann Strauss II Die Fledermaus: Overture, Kreisler ‘Viennese Rhapsody’, Offenbach Orpheus in the Underworld: Overture, Josef Strauss ‘Jockey Polka’, Johann & Josef Strauss ‘Pizzicato Polka’, Richard Strauss Der Rosenkavalier: Waltzes, Lehár The Land of Smiles: ‘Dein ist mein ganzes Herz’ and Johann Strauss II ‘On the Beautiful Blue Danube’.

Tobias Ringborg Conductor/Violin

Michael Weinius Tenor/Conductor

Mark Forrest Presenter

£8 - £27

Box Office: 01484 221 900

kirklees.gov.uk/townhalls

Music: Viennese Whirl

Harrogate Royal Hall

30 Dec 2014, 3:00pm

Concert includes: Johann Strauss II Die Fledermaus: Overture, Kreisler ‘Viennese Rhapsody’, Offenbach Orpheus in the Underworld: Overture, Josef Strauss ‘Jockey Polka’, Johann & Josef Strauss ‘Pizzicato Polka’, Richard Strauss Der Rosenkavalier: Waltzes, Lehár The Land of Smiles: ‘Dein ist mein ganzes Herz’ and Johann Strauss II ‘On the Beautiful Blue Danube’.

Tobias Ringborg Conductor/Violin

Michael Weinius Tenor/Conductor

Mark Forrest Presenter

£8 - £27

Box Office: 01423 502 116

harrogatetheatre.co.uk

Opera North Grand Theatre, 46 New Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6NU

For further information please contact:

Julia Gregg, Press & PR Manager

0113 223 3526 | 07956 647 573 |

Sian Dudley, Press Officer

0113 223 3528 |

Molly Fetherston, Communications Assistant

0113 223 3590 |

operanorth.co.uk/press-centre