Walking Tour: On Stage with Opera North

Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor

Visit now

Walking Tour: On Stage with Opera North

18 October 2023

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

via Leeds Inspired
Book now

As part of East St Art’s Hidden Histories of New Briggate project, the Grand Theatre is opening itself to curious people, giving you the chance to explore the resident home of Opera North from the other side of the curtain. Tread the boards of this Victorian, gold plated, red velveted gem of a venue and gain a better understanding of what life is like for those who work, create and perform there.

You’ll be joined by the Opera company’s resident history expert and Technical Manager, Peter Restall. What he doesn’t know about the inner workings of the venue isn’t worth knowing. He’s someone with a wealth of stories to share and a total passion for opera.

Opera North is well known for their breath taking stage set. You’ll get the chance to see the set designs up close and in detail. Don’t be surprised by the juxtaposition of how things look from an alternative angle to the audiences, it’s fascinating to learn how the clever and deft designs transform the stage. You’ll also have the rare opportunity to look out into the ornate auditorium from the stage and imagine the feeling of the performers as they take the audience in before they’ve sung their first note.

At the end of the tour you’ll have exclusive access to sit in on the dress rehearsal of Mozart’s Requiem. This colossal and canonic piece of repertoire is being accompanied by a new commission by Neo Muyanga which incorporates the dancers of Phoenix Dance Theatre and the Opera North’s South african partners Jazzart Dance Theatre and Cape Town Opera. Having the chance to see exactly how much work, passion and incredible craft goes into a performance like this would be such a treat for anyone interested in music and dance.

The performance was co-commissioned by Leeds 2023 and also supported by the British Council.

If you can’t make the tour, check out some of the other activities taking place as part of the Hidden Histories of New Briggate project, or check out Opera North’s Autumn season for more incredible performances.

Accessibility

  • Relaxed

Where to go near Walking Tour: On Stage with Opera North

Music venue
Howard Assembly Rooms

The Howard Assembly Room is a performance and rehearsal space at Leeds Grand Theatre

North Bar (C) Mark Newton Photograhy 2
Leeds
North Bar

North Bar is an intimate bar on Leeds’ New Briggate, with a huge range of craft ales and hard-to-find spirits.

Wax Bar
Leeds
Bar or Pub
Wax Bar and JukeJoint

A tiny, funky dive bar known for its great vinyl collection, Wax Bar pours cocktails and frosty beers until late into the night.

The Domino Leeds
Leeds
Music venue
The Domino Leeds

Live music isn’t the only attraction at The Domino. It also serves a range of inventive cocktails which are perfect to sip whilst watching the acts.

Stuzzi Leeds
Leeds
Restaurant
Stuzzi Leeds

Stuzzi is a stylish restaurant in Leeds offering high-end Italian cuisine, including pasta and seafood plates.

crash
Shop
Crash Records

Crash is a yellow beacon of taste, located on Leeds’ central Headrow. With vinyl, tickets and in-store gigs it’s a must visit for indie and rock fans.

Record Shops in Leeds wall of sound
Leeds
Shop
Wall Of Sound Records Leeds

Wall of Sound is an independent record shop stocking second hand and rare Records, CDs, DVDs, Books and Memorabilia, located in the the heart of Leeds.

House of Fu Leeds
City Centre
Restaurant
House of Fu Leeds

A Japanese-inspired restaurant speciaising in ramen and handmade dumplings, with a karaoke cocktail bar and lounge upstairs.

Belgrave music hall Leeds
Leeds
Music venue
Belgrave Music Hall

This music hall and canteen recently opened in the former site of Leeds Children’s Palace – a three-storey recreation hall and nursery school.

Zaap Leeds
Leeds
Restaurant
Zaap

Zaap is a charming café with a superb range of Thai street food dishes. Thai has taken a snapshot of the street food market of Bangkok and brought it to England.

What's on: Activity

Bumps and Brushes
TourCumbria
Bumps and Brushes at Abbot Hall

Meet other expecting parents and connect with yourself artistically in Bumps and Brushes a relaxed artistic workshop at Abbot Hall.

Free entry
Manchester Town Hall
TourManchester
The Magical Mystery Bike Tour

Hop on your bike for this guided cycling tour, exploring fascinating corners of Manchester you may never have seen before.

From £25.00

Culture Guides

European Poetry Festival European Camarade
Literature Events in the North

From tongue-twisters to twisty page-turners, we have all kinds of spoken word surprises in the latest literature round-up.

Theatre in Manchester
Theatre in the North

Summer signals theatre festivals, world premieres and open-air spectacle - from MIF25 to comedy, outdoor circus and beyond, here’s what we’re looking forward to.

Cloudwater Production One
Tours and Activities in the North

Go forth with wild abandon to dance the pavements, dabble with the paint and down the pints in this month's tours and activities guide.

Star Nhà Ease
Cinema in the North

July's cinema highlights include spotlights on international cinema, a new cult classic, plus a visit from one of our favourite directors.

Exhibitions in the North

Captivating, urgent and intimate - we bring you our top exhibition picks, with even more art festivals, artist-led shows and new venues.

Helena Hauff
Music in the North

Shape-shifting bands, scorched-earth techno, and off-grid festivals. Our latest music picks catch the live scene at its most urgent, inventive and alive.