Opera North Collection
Contains digital mediaDetails
Type of record: Archive
Title: Opera North Collection
Classmark: MS 1901
Creator(s): Opera North()
Date(s): 1978-2020
Language: English; Italian; German
Size and medium: 154 boxes; flyers; photographs; posters; programmes; typescript papers; leaflets; placard; stickers; magnetic tape; envelopes; CDs; bookmarks; photocopies; facsimile; magazine; telegram; postcards; cards; DVDs
Persistent link: https://explore.library.leeds.ac.uk/special-collections-explore/44646
Collection group(s): Performing Arts Collections
Description
The collection covers the musical activities of Opera North for over forty years from 1978. The company was established in 1977 as English National Opera North.
The collection contains material relating to opera and musicals staged by the company such as production folders, photographs and press reviews of performances. There is promotional material including an extensive run of programmes and some listings, flyers and posters. The collection contains a small amount of material generated by the administrative activities of Opera North. There are also files relating to the company's engagement activities.
For further information see attached multimedia.
Biography or history
Opera North is one of England's national opera company in the North and one of Europe's leading arts organisations. Based at Leeds Grand Theatre and it regularly performs in Salford, Newcastle and Nottingham. The company also tours around Europe to cities which include Prague and Barcelona. Its orchestra, the Orchestra of Opera North, frequently performs and records independently.
Opera North was founded in 1977 as English National Opera North (ENO North). The company was established in response to a demand for more opera productions in English provincial cities. An offshoot of English National Opera, it was set up in Leeds.
ENO North’s first performance was Saint-Saëns' 'Samson and Delilah' on 15 November 1978. David Lloyd-Jones was the founding Music Director from 1978-1991. From the beginning the company toured in England and Wales including seasons in London. In 1981 it adopted the name Opera North and cut its official links with English National Opera.
The company stages over 220 performances annually. Its performances over the years have encompassed world premieres, for example, 'Rebecca' by Wilfred Josephs (1983) and 'Baa, baa, black sheep' by Michael Berkeley (1993). It champions lesser known operas which are rarely seen in the United Kingdom including ‘King Priam’ by Michael Tippett (1991) and ‘La voix humaine’ by Poulenc (2006). Since 1989 the company has also performed musical theatre works such as 'Love Life' by Kurt Weill (1996) and 'Carousel' by Rodgers and Hammerstein (2012).
Provenance
Donated by Opera North in 2014. Accruals were received in 2015 and 2021.
Access and usage
Reproduction
Access
This collection is subject to various access conditions. Please see individual catalogue descriptions for further details on access.
Material in this collection is in copyright. Photocopies or digital images can only be supplied by the Library for research or private study within the terms of copyright legislation. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain the copyright holder's permission to reproduce for any other purpose. Guidance is available on tracing copyright status and ownership.
The University of Leeds respects the rights of copyright holders and their representatives. The University endeavours to ensure that all content hosted on the Special Collections website is compliant with UK Copyright law. View the Special Collections takedown policy
On our website
Profile: Opera North
Organisational history of Opera North, the northern opera company located at Leeds Grand Theatre.
Subject theme: Theatre and Performance
An overview of the research potential of theatre and performance archives held at Special Collections at Leeds University Library.