Left Bank Opera Festival 2018
22 - 26 August
The Original Chinese Conjuror
The Yellow Princess
Calcutta
For our 2018 Left Bank Opera Festival (22 - 26 August) we turned our attention to opera’s longstanding (and rather contentious) relationship with stories, characters and music from Asia.
Our headline production was
music by Raymond Yiu
libretto by Lee Warren
The Original Chinese Conjuror tells the true story of magician William Robinson who, in his efforts to enliven his act, adopts the persona of a mystical conjuror from China - and keeps his real identity hidden to all but those closest to him. Raymond Yiu’s opera is a hilarious and poignant tale of ambition, masquerade, and - of course - magic!
The production was directed by Northern Opera Group’s Artistic Director, David Ward, conducted by Lewis Gaston, and designed by George Leigh.
Read the 4* review of the production from The Guardian.
We explored opera's fasincation with Japan in Saint-Saens'
a dramatic and musically sumptuous piece which explores obsession, love, and escape from reality. This was performed in a concert production by two outstanding young singers, Natalie Johnson-Hyde and John Porter.
We were delighted to welcome Ensemble Tempus Fugit to Leeds with their production of
Northern Opera Group, c/o Northern Ballet, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7PA | info@northernoperagroup.co.uk | 07817 475769 | reg. charity 1167501