Review 2019
Welcome We hope that this brief overview of Opera North’s fortieth anniversary year provides an insight into the extraordinary breadth and depth of the Company’s impact, not only through the quality and diversity of our artistic offering, but also through our profound engagement on many different levels with people of all ages and backgrounds in the communities of the North.
A bold main stage programme featured a widely acclaimed new production of Tosca, the UK premiere of Kevin Puts’ opera Silent Night as part of the Armistice 100 commemorations, and a concert staging of Aida with a powerfully contemporary resonance. The work of our boundary-breaking Projects department encompassed Khyam Allami’s Requiem for the 21st Century as part of this year’s PRSF New Music Biennial, and our annual Resonance residency for BAME composers and musicmakers. Time and again our hugely talented and versatile core ensembles of Chorus and Orchestra demonstrated their skill and adaptability in a wide and often unconventional range of repertoire. Looking forward, the artistic leadership of the Company has been significantly strengthened by the appointment of Garry Walker as Music Director Designate and Antony Hermus as Opera North’s first Principal Guest Conductor. The Board of Trustees has also been enhanced by the appointment of Renée Hunt, Director of Digital Platforms at Sky. Our Community Partnerships programme, initially funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, continues to thrive and develop. Last December Opera North became a Theatre Company of Sanctuary in recognition of its work towards creating a welcoming environment for refugees and asylum seekers – the first opera company in the country to be awarded this status. Opera North Education now has an annual turnover of more than £1 million and intensively engages with more than 2,000 young people each week throughout the year, making a positive impact on their well-being and their academic attainment, as recognised by OFSTED.
Crucial to our success are our many and varied partnerships in the arts, business, community and education sectors. The year saw important artistic collaborations with Leeds Playhouse and – for the first time – with Phoenix Dance Theatre. Our HE partnerships, spearheaded by the ground-breaking DARE partnership with the University of Leeds and our ongoing partnership with the University of Hull, were extended by a new relationship with Leeds College of Music. We have been joined by some significant new corporate partners during the year, and we are grateful for the ongoing support of the many trusts and foundations and individuals who so generously support the Company’s work, and for the continued investment of Arts Council England and Leeds City Council which is vital to our stability and sustainability. Preparations continue in advance of our transformational capital redevelopment project Music Works, which will secure the Company’s future as a creative powerhouse in the north of England. The £18 million fundraising campaign is underpinned by the extraordinary generosity of Dr Keith Howard, whose contribution of £11.25 million is one of the largest single gifts ever committed to such a project in the UK. We are profoundly grateful to Dr Howard for his visionary support of Opera North’s ambition to create a world-class cultural and educational centre in the heart of Leeds.
Paul Lee
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Richard Mantle General Director
Photographs Covers: Kang Wang (Tamino) in The Magic Flute, 2019 These pages: Not Such Quiet Girls, Howard Assembly Room, 2018
Patron HRH The Duke of Kent KG Founder George Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood KBE President Keith Howard OBE General Director Richard Mantle OBE Music Director Designate Garry Walker Principal Guest Conductor Antony Hermus
Board of Trustees Paul Lee (Chairman) Ed Anderson Mark Armour Nicola Brentnall Renée Hunt Henrietta Jowitt Liza Kellett Peter Maniura Richard Mantle OBE Rosie Millard OBE Nima Poovaya-Smith Cllr Jonathan Pryor Irving Warnett Vice Presidents Dame Josephine Barstow Michael Beverley DL Liz Bramall Terry Bramall CBE Lady Eccles of Moulton Francesca Horsfield Sir Alistair Graham David Lascelles, Earl of Harewood Clive Leach OBE David Lovell Lindsay Mackinlay DL
‘ A northern powerhouse on cracking form’ Daily Telegraph on Opera North, May 2019
Extraordinary experiences From acclaimed contemporary interpretations of classic operas, to innovative new commissions, to a Hollywood blockbuster accompanied by live orchestra in the middle of Leeds, to events that embrace diverse communities throughout the north of England – Opera North creates extraordinary experiences every day.
284
Public performances presented by Opera North
‘ Over my seven-year relationship with Opera North I have sung a wide range of music from Rodgers & Hammerstein (Billy Bigelow, Carousel ) to Wagner (Gunther, Götterdämmerung ) and, last season, Verdi (Amonasro, Aida ). Each time I have had the opportunity to return to Opera North it has confirmed again the great impact that this company has had on my artistic and personal development. From the administrative department to the world class music staff and creative teams, one has the experience of creating art on a high level with family. What could be better? This company is a gem!’ Eric Greene, Amonasro in Aida, 2019
‘ In Requiem for the 21st Century, the Iraqi composer Khyam Allami suspended eight ouds in a circle, amplified to act as loudspeakers, transmitting gorgeous, unearthly sounds of plucked strings and fragmented voices (the Chorus of Opera North): haunting and mesmeric.’ Fiona Maddocks, The Observer, on Requiem for the 21st Century, produced by Opera North Projects for the PRSF New Music Biennial 2019
‘ It’s viscerally effective because it is sung and played with such conviction. Under Richard Armstrong, the orchestra and chorus … excel, bringing Verdi’s magnificent 1871 opera vividly to life.’ Hugh Canning, Sunday Times, on Aida
For everyone From grand theatres to shopping centres; from community venues to city squares; from the local pub to the global digital arena, Opera North is reaching ever more diverse audiences, with more than 100,000 attendances at our performances over the course of the year. ‘ I was there! And I was blown away by the arrangements and the marriage of orchestral sounds with pop music.’ Laura Andrus on Opera North in the City – 80s Classical, via Facebook
‘ Tonight I watched my first ever opera @ The_Lowry. I had many misconceptions about opera and expected to hate @Opera_North’s #Tosca. But wow! It blew me away. I am now a convert to opera! Kicking myself for being so blinded by false preconceptions.’ Nicola Brierley, via Twitter
‘ Contemplating the creation myth of the oud in @KhyamAllami’s rich and delicate sound installation #Requiemforthe21stCentury, part of @NMBiennial commissioned by @Opera_North’ Deborah Shaw, via Twitter
‘ It is a great gesture by the Company to reach out to people from so many different countries and enable them to experience the totally different experience of a dramatic live opera performance. I wasn’t sure how much our students would understand or appreciate it all but their comments at the end showed that they were gripped and deeply moved by the whole performance.’ Richard Hargreaves, following visit of BIASAN (Bradford Immigration and Asylum Support and Advice Network) to Katya Kabanova, February 2019
Main Image: Audience at 80s Classical, part of Opera North in the City, Millennium Square, Leeds, July 2019 Above: Encore Bravo event, celebrating five years of Opera North’s Community Engagement Scheme supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, August 2018 Top Right: Stephanie Corley in the title role of Katya Kabanova
‘ Thank you very much for the opportunity to see and hear the amazing Katya. It was new for me. Something which I have never seen before. The theatre is magnificent, the music was very sad. I loved the sound of the chorus singing at the end.’ Osman, Sudan
Between September 2018 and August 2019 there were:
146,926
328,559
100%
6,919
41%
10,671,122
Total attendances nationwide of an Opera North show, concert, event
Members of the Under 30s scheme
Unique visitors to the Opera North website
New Opera North audience members at The Magic Flute
4,076
Mentions in the press
Recycled material used to construct the set for Not Such Quiet Girls
Views of Bolero flashmob on YouTube
57
Member organisations of Arts Together Leeds, a new city-wide arts and community engagement project
Communities
Opera North connects with communities and inspires people of all ages and walks of life to explore opera, music and the arts. Thousands of young people and adults engage with the Company’s extensive education programmes each year. Above: Marie Claire Breen with young singers in Big Sing – Wonderland Restored, St. George’s Hall, Bradford, June 2019 Below: Opera North Children’s Chorus in Don’t Call a Dragon a Worm!, Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond, April 2019 Opposite Top Left: In Harmony, New Bewerley Community Primary School, December 2018 Opposite Top Right: Mini Magic Flute at the CBBC Summer Social, August 2018 Opposite Bottom: Vuvu Mpofu (Pamina) in rehearsal for The Magic Flute, December 2018
1,700
In Harmony Opera North participants
In Harmony Opera North In Harmony Opera North began at Windmill Primary in 2013. So significant was its impact that the programme was subsequently extended to Low Road Primary School and New Bewerley Community Primary School. In September 2018, In Harmony expanded into a fourth primary school, Richmond Hill Academy, in addition to a linked secondary school, The Ruth Gorse Academy. More than 1,700 children and young people are now engaged in the programme every week.
‘ The school’s In Harmony initiative, in partnership with Opera North, has a significant and positive impact on many aspects of pupils’ learning and wellbeing. … All pupils in Year 2 and key stage 2 learn a musical instrument. This music tuition, conducted by professional members of Opera North, is a significant strength of the school. It not only gives pupils skills in playing an instrument, but it also underlines the school’s ethos of teamwork and sharing.’ Ofsted report, Low Road Primary School, June 2018
‘ Last week was one of the first times the school has had some real joy in it and that has a huge amount to do with the work you’ve done. It has been brilliant to come into the In Harmony sessions and see the children so happy, engaged and excited.’ Principal, Richmond Hill Academy, September 2018
The Magic Flute schools’ performances and the Mini Magic Flute A version of Opera North’s new main stage production of The Magic Flute was specially tailored for schools’ audiences. Lasting an hour and a half, the show was presented at the Company’s regular tour theatres in Leeds, Salford, Newcastle and Nottingham. In addition, a Mini Magic Flute was made especially for families, and toured to 13 smaller venues across the North, including Arnside and Appleby in Cumbria, Hexham, York and Doncaster.
‘ Brilliant. Best child-based music performance I’ve ever seen. Really great performers! The accordion player was fabulous … Most engaging, lively, colourful, and absorbing for the children. Magical.’ Audience member, Hexham, on the Mini Magic Flute
‘ Just thought I would pass on how wonderful the experience was. I took a small group of students that have either vocal or instrumental lessons in school and they were blown away by the quality of the singing and acting, as well as the fantastic quality of the orchestra. They were particularly impressed by the three young singers – in the roles of the three spirits – and the quality of their harmonies.’ Music Teacher, Cockburn School, Leeds, on The Magic Flute schools’ performance
Shaping the future
Opera North has an ambitious vision for the future in which arts and music work to enrich the lives of a broader range of people than ever across the generations, where we inspire and strengthen communities throughout our region, and where we nurture an increasingly diverse range of artists and art-makers. We are transforming our home with the Music Works campaign. Music Works will create a place for artists to make thrilling music, where people of all ages can learn and participate, and where audiences are welcome to connect with each other and with us. It will deliver: Cutting edge facilities for making opera – a new music rehearsal studio and costume workshop More live music – a new entrance for the Howard Assembly Room and an expanded programme A home for Opera North Education – a new, flexible Education Studio at the heart of the Company Extraordinary experiences for audiences – a new restaurant, bar and refurbished Box Office Right: Little Big Sing – The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, July 2019 Opposite Middle: Phoenix Dance Youth Academy and Opera North Youth Chorus in Dance Fables, March 2019 Opposite Bottom: Seckou Keita, whose Music Book was part of Opera North’s 2019 Resonance residency programme for BAME composers and music-makers
Early in 2019, Opera North collaborated with Leeds-based Phoenix Dance Theatre for the first time, on a new production of Stravinsky’s groundbreaking ballet The Rite of Spring, choreographed by Jeanguy Saintus. As part of the collaboration between the two companies, the Opera North Youth Chorus joined forces with Phoenix Dance Youth Academy to create Dance Fables.
‘ Once the collaboration on the main stage work was confirmed, the Education Departments of both organisations were keen to deepen the relationship, by ensuring that young people also gained from this unique partnership. The opportunity to bring young people from such varied artforms together to create and perform work was just part of the vision. Each young person also explored the other artform; the singers danced, the dancers sang, and met key creatives during the process, gaining invaluable insight into the work, before watching the full evening’s performance. The project was hugely impactful, not only on the young people involved, but also on the artists and staff working alongside each other, with utter respect for each other’s artform on every level.’ Charis Charles, Director of Access & Education, Phoenix Dance Theatre
In December 2018, Opera North became the first opera company in the country to be awarded Theatre of Sanctuary status in recognition of its ongoing work to make refugees and asylum seekers feel valued, celebrated and included. The accolade was given to the company by City of Sanctuary as a result of its initiatives to increase accessibility to music, drama and opera, for giving refugees and asylum seekers a voice on stage, and for building important social and creative connections for individuals who can feel isolated and excluded, living in an unfamiliar place and often having suffered traumatic, life-changing experiences. Leeds is now the first UK city to have two Theatres of Sanctuary, with Opera North joining Leeds Playhouse as one of only a handful in the country.
‘ I am writing to express my gratitude for the chance to experience fantastic music, an outstanding performance and overall a great evening of culture. The work you do with the communities in Leeds is very much appreciated and I hope you are able to carry on bringing the amazing world of music and performance into the lives of people for whom that world is out of reach.’ Service user, RETAS (Refugee Education Training Advice Service, Leeds)
Partnerships
From its base in Leeds, Opera North’s impact and influence extends throughout the North to the rest of the country and beyond. Our range and reach are underpinned by an array of powerful partnerships – artistic, commercial and philanthropic. Opera North and Phoenix Dance Theatre Dr Sharon Watson, Artistic Director, Phoenix Dance Theatre: ‘This collaboration was a significant moment for both organisations. It’s rare that a company of our size would ever experience the breadth and scale of Opera North. We were not expecting riots, as at the infamous Parisian premiere of The Rite of Spring in 1913; however our combined approach, which explored the impact of this revolutionary piece of music by taking on an alternative concept of sacrifice, was in my view, genius. Our partnership spoke beyond the proscenium arch, not only to existing audiences but also to new theatre-goers. Although it was the first time that both organisations had collaborated – the possibilities are endless. This has been a step change in taking an outwardly facing approach to diversity and inclusion, presented by two organisations of purpose, of historical importance, with an abundance of creativity and talent’. Above: The Rite of Spring, Opera North in association with Phoenix Dance Theatre, February 2019 Left: Richard Burkhard in the title role of Gianni Schicchi, which was presented in a double bill with The Rite of Spring, February 2019 Opposite: Gillene Butterfield (Pat) and Laura Prior (Harry) in the Opera North/Leeds Playhouse co-production of Not Such Quiet Girls, Howard Assembly Room, November 2018
Opera North and Sagars
Opera North and Higher Education
Chris Jones, Managing Partner, Sagars: ‘Having worked together since 2017, Sagars moved into a three-year commitment as a Corporate Partner of Opera North this year. The parallels between our two companies are many – including our pride in our Leeds roots, our commitment to creativity, innovation and excellence and our desire to present the very best of what the North has to offer locally, nationally and internationally. Our shared enthusiasm for inspiring the next generation culminated recently in an exhilarating workshop for 70 young, up and coming senior accountants who were moved completely out of their comfort zones by the power of music and performance.’
Opera North is recognised nationally and internationally for working in partnership with institutions including the Universities of Leeds and Hull and Leeds College of Music to build a more resilient cultural sector. Thomas de Mallet Burgess, General Director, New Zealand Opera: ‘Engaging with the Pettman DARE Fellows upon their return to New Zealand allows us to share in the knowledge, ideas and experience gained from their time at Opera North and the University of Leeds. This is in turn benefits wider communities here as our Fellows put their learning into practice.’ Gerry Godley, Principal and Managing Director, Leeds College of Music: ‘We are thrilled to partner with Opera North – an organisation which shares our commitment to innovation and artistic excellence in the North. Having this direct link between the next generation of classical musicians from Leeds College of Music and the professional musicians of Opera North will allow us to work collaboratively to develop talented musicians and support the sustainability of classical music in the north of England.’
Opera North and Leeds City Council Cluny Macpherson, Chief Officer, Culture and Sport, Leeds City Council: ‘Our partnership with Opera North is instrumental in developing Leeds as a leading European city. This past year has seen the Company play a key role in the citywide Armistice 100 commemorations, through ambitious projects such as the UK premiere of Silent Night at Leeds Town Hall, the co-production with Leeds Playhouse of Not Such Quiet Girls at the Howard Assembly Room, and the world premiere of Songs of Love and Battle, performed by the Orchestra of Opera North and more than 100 local children. As we develop our vision for Leeds 2023, initiatives such as these demonstrate the positive impact of our partnership on the city region’s cultural sector and on the lives of our young people.’
Opera North and PRS Foundation
Opera North and Brewin Dolphin
Vanessa Reed, CEO, PRS Foundation ‘We are proud that Opera North is one of our Talent Development Partners and that we are supporting and working collaboratively with this crucial resource for music creators in the UK. Opera North’s intelligent and creative approach results in diverse artists benefitting from unique opportunities to develop their practice. Khyam Allami’s commission for our New Music Biennial and Opera North’s commitment to our Keychange gender balance pledge are examples of this work, highlighting the significant role of Opera North in PRS Foundation’s national and international programmes.’
Paul Martin, Divisional Director, Brewin Dolphin ‘This year saw the partnership between Opera North and Brewin Dolphin extend beyond Leeds, as our regional offices engaged with the tour of the critically acclaimed concert staging of Aida. Across performances in seven cities we entertained over 100 clients, showcasing and celebrating our long association with Opera North. Through our sponsorship of receptions before the performances, we were able to offer our valued clients backstage tours and opportunities to meet the cast. Investing in our relationships with our clients is key to our business ethos and the partnership with Opera North helps us to do this in a unique and impactful way.’
Accounts A strong financial performance matched Opera North’s artistic ambition over the course of the year. Although we continue to rely on substantial public funding for our viability, our efforts to increase self-generated revenue continue to be met with some success. Overall, the Company achieved a surplus in 2018/19, maintaining an operating reserve and enhancing overall reserves through the creation of a designated sustainability fund, in what seems certain to be an increasingly volatile financial climate. Box Office income surpassed expectations in both the main stage and Howard Assembly Room autumn and winter seasons, and for the 2018-19 Kirklees Concert Season. Production rental income also exceeded budgets, as did theatre and orchestra tax relief. Both the Education and Projects departments had a strong year, securing more funds than budgeted, which has allowed them to increase activity.
Sponsorship and fundraising continue to play a key role in our funding mix, with audiences and communities alike continuing to benefit from the generosity of our many supporters, whether they be corporate partners, trusts and foundations, or individual donors. Nevertheless, the large investment in the Company made by Arts Council England and Leeds City Council remains critical to our sustainability. Their continued support is a welcome act of faith in the range and quality of Opera North’s work across all strands of the operation, and the Company’s unique contribution to the economic and social fabric of the Leeds city region and the North. The Music Works Fundraising campaign is progressing well with support from the public sector, individuals and trusts and foundations, with £2.4 million still to be raised towards the £18 million target.
Year to 31 March 2019
Total income
Total expenditure
£’000
Arts Council England grant 10,386 Arts Council England In Harmony grant 150 Leeds City Council grant 485 Box Office & related income 3,417 Sponsorship & fundraising 2,894 Production / rental income 177 Education / Projects / Howard Assembly Room 676 Theatre Tax Credit 1,648
52.4% 0.8% 2.4% 17.2% 14.6% 0.9%
Staff costs Overhead costs Opera production & performance costs Education and Projects costs Orchestral concerts costs Marketing costs
£’000 8,940 1,475 6,633 1,218 335 693
3.4% 8.3%
19,833 Note: figures exclude income and expenditure related to the Music Works Capital Redevelopment Project
19,294
46.4% 7.6% 34.4% 6.3% 1.7% 3.6%
Acknowledgements Opera North gratefully acknowledges all the organisations and over 1,000 individuals across the country who generously support the Company’s work.
Individual Supporters
The Opera North Future Fund The Patrons’ Initiative
Associates of Opera North Friends of Opera North
Opera North Fund The Harewood Circle
Addleshaw Goddard Arup Bartlett Group Blacks Solicitors Brewin Dolphin Emerald Group Publishing Evans Property Group
Harvey Nichols KPMG Leeds Trinity University MAC Mills & Reeve One Medical Group Sagars
Target Live Taste Cuisine Town Centre Securities Trinity Leeds Wykeland Ltd
The John S Cohen Foundation The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust Sir John Fisher Foundation The Peter and Theresa Harris Charitable Trust The Hedley Denton Charitable Trust The Hobson Charity The Holbeck Charitable Trust The Kirby Laing Foundation Sir James Knott Trust
Leche Trust The Linden Charitable Trust Ann Maguire Arts Education Fund G M Morrison Charitable Trust Poyser Fund The N Smith Charitable Settlement Steel Charitable Trust The Charles and Elsie Sykes Trust The Whitaker Charitable Trust
Corporate Sponsor Corporate Partners
Higher Education Partners
Principal Partner
Trusts & Foundations Bernarr Rainbow Trust The Britford Bridge Charitable Trust Charles Brotherton Trust The Arnold Burton 1998 Charitable Trust The Calmcott Trust The Carntyne Trust Carr-Ellison Charitable Trust Fund Casey Trust R E Chadwick Charitable Trust
Opera North 2019 – 2020
Photographic credits
THE GREEK PASSION Bohuslav Martinů
STREET SCENE Kurt Weill
GIULIO CESARE George Frideric Handel
THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
LA BOHÈME Giacomo Puccini
THE TURN OF THE SCREW Benjamin Britten
Opera North Limited Grand Theatre 46 New Briggate Leeds LS1 6NU UK (Registered Office) Tel 44 (0) 113 243 9999 info@operanorth.co.uk Registered Charity No. 511726 © Opera North Limited, 2019
operanorth.co.uk
Tom Arber (Encore Bravo event, p6; Big Sing – Wonderland Restored, p8; In Harmony at New Bewerley Community Primary School, The Magic Flute in rehearsal, p9); Clive Barda (Aida, p5); Steve Evans (Light Night – Sit Bach and Enjoy, p4); Simon Godley (Seckou Keita, p11); Jane Hobson (Katya Kabanova, p6); Richard Jemison (Opera North Children’s Chorus – Don’t Call a Dragon a Worm, p8); Tristram Kenton (Silent Night, p4; The Rite of Spring, Gianni Schicchi, p12); Mark McNulty (Mini Magic Flute, p9); Alastair Muir (The Magic Flute, covers); Justin Slee (Not Such Quiet Girls, pp2-3, p13; Garry Walker conducting the Orchestra of Opera North, p4; Little Big Sing – The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, p10; Phoenix Dance Youth Academy and Opera North Youth Chorus – Dance Fables, p11); Richard H Smith (Tosca, p5); Rowland Thomas (Khyam Allami, p5); Mark Wheelwright (Julia Holter, p5); Sarah Zagni (audience at Opera North in the City – 80s Classical, pp6-7).