Opera North: history and repertoire, seasons 1978–79 to 1980–81
Opera North is an opera company based at The Grand Theatre, Leeds. This article covers its establishment and early years.
History
On 10 March 1976, at a reception at Harewood House, a plan to make the Grand Theatre a northern home for English National Opera (ENO) was unveiled. The Arts Council of Great Britain was prepared to back the scheme, provided that the local authorities in the area would also contribute funding. With Leeds City Council in the lead, sufficient funds were forthcoming, although there was some slippage in the proposed timetable. English National Opera North (ENON) was established in late 1977, with Lord Harewood as Managing Director and Graham Marchant as General Administrator. Its first performance (of Saint-Saëns's Samson et Dalila) was given on 15 November 1978. The opera was conducted by the founding Music Director of the company, David Lloyd-Jones.[1]
In the inaugural 1978–79 season, 11 operas were performed. Six were new productions, four of them directed by Patrick Libby, ENON's Director of Productions. The remaining five productions comprised one from Scottish Opera (Colin Graham's Peter Grimes) and four from ENO. Before the end of the season, the company toured The Marriage of Figaro to Barnsley, Scarborough and Darlington.
the 1979–80 season saw two more Libby productions (one of them the rarely performed A Village Romeo and Juliet by Frederick Delius who was born in Bradford), six, including Richard Rodney Bennett's The Mines of Sulphur, borrowed from ENO, one revival from 1978–79, Wendy Toye's new The Merry Widow and Steven Pimlott's spectacular new Nabucco. Libby's Rigoletto was played in a tent in Sheffield as well as at the company's regular venues in Newcastle, Salford and Nottingham.
Most productions during this period were conducted by Lloyd-Jones. Clive Timms, Opera North's Head of Music, and John Pryce-Jones, Chorus Master, also conducted, with Elgar Howarth, Gabriele Bellini and David Parry as guest conductors. A stalwart of ENO, Robert Ferguson, sang many of the leading tenor roles, frequently with John Rawnsley and/or Stuart Harling (baritones) and John Tranter (bass). Guest singers included Josephine Veasey, Ann Murray, Elizabeth Harwood, Della Jones, Elizabeth Vaughan, Joan Carden, Felicity Palmer, Graham Clark, David Hillman, Peter Glossop, Forbes Robinson, Derek Hammond-Stroud and Norman Bailey. Another special guest, in the non-singing role of Frosch in Die Fledermaus, was Clive Dunn of Dad's Army fame.
As well as performing during this period at its regular venues, the company also visited Dortmund (with Peter Grimes), Glasgow (with Nabucco and Carmen) and Buxton.
At the end of the 1981-82 season, English National Opera North changed its name to Opera North and became an independent entity.
Repertoire
Below is a list of main stage[2] operas performed by the company during the period when it was known as English National Opera North.
| Season | Opera[3] | Composer | Principal cast | Conductor | Director | Designer[4] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978–79 | SamsonSamson et Dalila | Saint- Saint-Saëns | Py Gilbert Py (Samson), Katherine Pring (Dalila), John Rawnsley (High Priest) | Lloyd-Jones David Lloyd-Jones | Libby Patrick Libby | Stoddart John Stoddart |
| 1978–79 | MamellesLes mamelles de Tirésias[5] | Poulenc Poulenc | Roberts Joy Roberts (Thérèse), Stuart Harling (The Husband) | Timms Clive Timms | Copley John Copley | Don Robin Don |
| 1978–79 | DidoDido and Aeneas[6] | Purcell Purcell | Murray Ann Murray (Dido), Sandra Dugdale (Belinda), Ian Caddy (Aeneas) | Timms Clive Timms | Watt-S Ian Watt‑Smith | McPherson Alexander McPherson |
| 1978–79 | BohemeLa bohème | Puccini Puccini | Ferguson Robert Ferguson (Rodolfo), Eileen Hannan (Mimi), John Rawnsley (Marcello), Margaret Haggart (Musetta) | Lloyd-Jones David Lloyd‑Jones/ Clive Timms | Libby Patrick Libby | Harris Margaret Harris |
| 1978–79 | OrpheusOrpheus in the Underworld | Offenbach Offenbach | Jeffes Peter Jeffes (Orpheus), Sandra Dugdale (Euridice), Eric Shilling/Thomas Lawlor (Jupiter), Bonaventura Bottone (John Styx) | Timms Clive Timms | Toye Wendy Toye | Pride Malcolm Pride |
| 1978–79 | MagicThe Magic Flute | Mozart Mozart | Ferguson Robert Ferguson (Tamino), Eiddwen Harrhy (Pamina), Stuart Harling (Papageno), Don Garrard/John Tranter (Sarastro), Margaret Haggart/Iris Saunders (Queen of the Night) | Lloyd-Jones David Lloyd-Jones | Besch Anthony Besch | Stoddart John Stoddart |
| 1978–79 | HanselHänsel und Gretel | Humperdinck Humperdinck | Powell Claire Powell (Hansel), Elizabeth Gale (Gretel), Ann Howard (Witch) | Lloyd-Jones David Lloyd-Jones | Libby Patrick Libby | Pollock Adam Pollock |
| 1978–79 | FledermausDie Fledermaus | Strauss J J Strauss | Douglas Nigel Douglas (Eisenstein), Sheila Armstrong (Rosalinda), Joy Roberts (Adele), Ramon Remedios (Alfredo) | Parry David Parry | Libby Patrick Libby | Kingshill Jane Kingshill |
| 1978–79 | PeterPeter Grimes | Britten Britten | Ferguson Robert Ferguson (Grimes), Ava June (Ellen Orford), Geoffrey Chard (Balstrode) | Lloyd-Jones David Lloyd-Jones | Graham Colin Graham | Stone Alix Stone |
| 1978–79 | MarriageThe Marriage of Figaro | Mozart Mozart | Hudson Paul Hudson (Figaro), Joy Roberts (Susanna), Stuart Harling (Count), Eiddwen Harrhy (Countess), Marie McLaughlin (Cherubino) | Lloyd-Jones David Lloyd-Jones/ John Pryce-Jones | Libby Patrick Libby | Don Robin Don |
| 1978–79 | TraviataLa traviata | Verdi Verdi | Mcdonall Lois McDonall (Violetta), Ryland Davies (Alfredo), Christian du Plessis (Germont) | Timms Clive Timms | Copley John Copley | Walker David Walker |
| 1979–80 | RigolettoRigoletto | Verdi Verdi | Rawnsley John Rawnsley/Michael Lewis (Rigoletto), Michael Renier/Robert Ferguson (Duke), Joy Roberts/Margaret Neville (Gilda) | Pryce-Jones John Pryce-Jones/ Clive Timms | Libby Patrick Libby | Bjornson Maria Björnson |
| 1979–80 | Tosca Tosca | Puccini Puccini | Vaughan Elizabeth Vaughan (Tosca), Kenneth Collins (Cavaradossi), Geoffrey Chard (Scarpia) | Lloyd-Jones David Lloyd-Jones | Pimlott Steven Pimlott | Harris Margaret Harris |
| 1979–80 | FlyingThe Flying Dutchman | Wagner Wagner | Glossop Peter Glossop (The Dutchman), Arlene Saunders (Senta), Paul Hudson (Daland), Robert Ferguson (Erik) | Lloyd-Jones David Lloyd-Jones | Coleman Basil Coleman | Don Robin Don |
| 1979–80 | MerryThe Merry Widow | Lehar Lehár | Harwood Elizabeth Harwood (Hanna Glawari), David Hillman (Danilo), Bente Marcussen (Valencienne), Adrian Martin (Camille), Thomas Lawlor (Baron Zeta) | Lloyd-Jones David Lloyd-Jones/ John Pryce-Jones | Toye Wendy Toye | Ringwood Bob Ringwood |
| 1979–80 | HanselHänsel und Gretel | Humperdinck Humperdinck | Kimm Fiona Kimm (Hansel), Kate Flowers (Gretel), Ann Howard (Witch) | Parry David Parry | ZZZ Revival of 1978–79 production | |
| 1979–80 | CarmenCarmen | Bizet Bizet | Knight Gillian Knight/Ann Howard (Carmen), Robert Ferguson (Don José), Michael Lewis (Escamillo), Joy Roberts (Micaela) | Timms Clive Timms | Copley John Copley | Lazaridis Stefanos Lazaridis |
| 1979–80 | RosenkavalierDer Rosenkavalier | Strauss R R Strauss | McDonall Lois McDonall (The Marschallin), Eiddwen Harrhy (Octavian), Laureen Livingstone (Sophie), Dennis Wicks (Baron Ochs) | Lloyd-Jones David Lloyd-Jones | Copley John Copley | Walker David Walker |
| 1979–80 | MinesThe Mines of Sulphur | Bennett Bennett | Kimm Fiona Kimm (Rosalind), Robert Ferguson (Bocconnion, Eric Garrett (Sherrin), Sally Burgess (Jenny), John Fryatt (Trim) | Timms Clive Timms | Graham Colin Graham | Stone Alix Stone |
| 1979–80 | NabuccoNabucco | Verdi Verdi | Andrew Ludmilla Andrew (Abigaille), Camillo Meghor (Nabucco), John Tranter (Zaccaria) | Howarth Elgar Howarth | Pimlott Steven Pimlott | Lazaridis Stefanos Lazaridis |
| 1979–80 | VillageA Village Romeo and Juliet | Delius Delius | Martin Adrian Martin (Sali), Laureen Livingstone (Vrenchen), Stuart Harling (The Dark Fiddler) | Lloyd-Jones David Lloyd-Jones | Libby Patrick Libby | Fraser John Fraser |
| 1979–80 | CountLe Comte Ory | Rossini Rossini | Clark Graham Clark (Count Ory), Eiddwen Harrhy (Countess Adèle), Della Jones (Isolier), Russell Smythe (Raimbaud), Paul Hudson (Ory's Tutor) | Lloyd-Jones David Lloyd-Jones | Besch Anthony Besch | Rice Peter Rice |
| 1980–81 | JenufaJenůfa | Janacek Janáček | Haywood Lorna Haywood (Jenůfa), Margaret Kingsley (Kostelnička), Robert Ferguson (Laca), Philip Mills (Števa) | Lloyd-Jones David Lloyd-Jones | Pountney David Pountney | Bjornson Maria Björnson |
| 1980–81 | ElixirL'elisir d'amore | Donizetti Donizetti | Watson Lillian Watson (Adina), Ryland Davies (Nemorino), Forbes Robinson (Dulcamara), Richard Jackson (Belcore) | Timms Clive Timms | Geliot Michael Geliot | Beaven Michael Beaven |
| 1980–81 | TraviataLa traviata | Verdi Verdi | Vaughan Elizabeth Vaughan (Violetta), Franco Bonanome (Alfredo), Michael Lewis (Germont) | Bellini Gabrielle Bellini | ZZZ Revival of 1978–79 production | |
| 1980–81 | MerryThe Merry Widow | Lehar Lehár | Robson Elizabeth Robson (Hanna Glawari), Christopher Booth-Jones (Danilo), Eirian James (Valencienne), Arthur Davies (Camille), Thomas Lawlor (Baron Zeta) | Lloyd-Jones David Lloyd-Jones | ZZZ Revival of 1979–80 production | |
| 1980–81 | TalesThe Tales of Hoffmann | Offenbach Offenbach | Hillman David Hillman (Hoffmann), Joan Carden (Olympia, Antonia, Giulietta, Stella), Norman Bailey (Lindorf, Coppelius, Dr Miracle, Dapertutto) | Lloyd-Jones David Lloyd-Jones | Besch Anthony Besch | Stoddart John Stoddart |
| 1980–81 | BohemeLa bohème | Puccini Puccini | Ferguson Robert Ferguson (Rodolfo), Sally Burgess (Mimi), Terence Sharpe (Marcello), Bente Marcussen (Musetta) | Timms Clive Timms | ZZZ Revival of 1978–79 production | |
| 1980–81 | OedipusOedipus rex[7] | Stravinsky Stravinsky | Ferguson Robert Ferguson (Oedipus), Josephine Veasey (Jocasta), Hugh-Nigel Sheehan (Creon), John Tranter (Tiresias) | Lloyd-Jones David Lloyd-Jones | Libby Patrick Libby | Lazaridis Stefanos Lazaridis |
| 1980–81 | MamellesLes mamelles de Tirésias[8] | Poulenc Poulenc | Flowers Kate Flowers (Thérèse), Stuart Harling (The Husband) | Timms Clive Timms | ZZZ Revival of 1978–79 production | |
| 1980–81 | ToscaTosca | Puccini Puccini | Vaughan Elizabeth Vaughan (Tosca), Kenneth Collins (Cavaradossi), Geoffrey Chard (Scarpia) | Lloyd-Jones David Lloyd-Jones | ZZZ Revival of 1979–80 production | |
| 1980–81 | MagicThe Magic Flute | Mozart Mozart | Martin Adrian Martin (Tamino), Helen Walker (Pamina), Michael Lewis (Papageno), John Tranter (Sarastro), Margaret Haggart (Queen of the Night) | Lloyd-Jones David Lloyd-Jones | ZZZ Revival of 1978–79 production | |
| 1980–81 | Don GDon Giovanni | Mozart Mozart | McDonnell Tom McDonnell (Don Giovanni), Elizabeth Robson (Donna Anna), Felicity Palmer (Donna Elvira), Michael Rippon (Leporello), Robin Leggate (Don Ottavio) | Lloyd-Jones David Lloyd-Jones | Pountney David Pountney | Bjornson Maria Björnson |
| 1980–81 | BarberThe Barber of Seville | Rossini Rossini | Lewis Michael Lewis (Figaro), Della Jones (Rosina), John Brecknock (Almaviva), Derek Hammond-Stroud (Dr Bartolo) | Pryce-Jones John Pryce-Jones | Libby Patrick Libby | Temp Frances Tempest/ Steve Addison |
| 1980–81 | FreischutzDer Freischütz | Weber Weber | Ferguson Robert Ferguson (Max), Sally Burgess/Bente Marcussen (Agathe), Malcolm Rivers (Caspar), Sandra Dugdale (Aennchen) | Timms Clive Timms | Pimlott Steven Pimlott | Fraser John Fraser |
Sources
- Leeks, Stuart (ed) (2003). Opera North @ 25. Leeds: Opera North.
References
- ↑ Leeds Classical Music: English National Opera North
- ↑ "Main stage" means operas performed at Leeds Grand Theatre and a number of touring venues; small-scale productions are not included. Semi-staged concert performances at Leeds Town Hall and other similar venues are included, but concert performances without any staging are not.
- ↑ Titles in Bold are new productions. Unbolded titles that are not revivals of Opera North productions are productions that originated at English National Opera, Scottish Opera, Welsh National Opera and Glyndebourne Festival Opera. Opera titles are the titles used in Wikipedia articles and not necessarily those used by Opera North.
- ↑ Where two designers are credited, the first-named designed the set and the second designed the costumes
- ↑ Performed as a double-bill with Dido and Aeneas
- ↑ Performed as a double-bill with Les mamelles de Tirésias
- ↑ Performed as a double-bill with Les mamelles de Tirésias
- ↑ Performed as a double-bill with Oedipus rex
See also
- Opera North: history and repertoire, seasons 1981–82 to 1989–90
- Opera North: history and repertoire, seasons 1990–91 to 1996–97
- Opera North: history and repertoire, seasons 1997–98 to 2003–04
- Opera North: history and repertoire, seasons 2004–