After a successful run of performances at Smith Square Hall in 2024, Opera Holland Park brings back Will Todd and David Simpatico’s enchanting musical retelling of A Christmas Carol. Scored for eight singers, a trio of piano, double bass and accordion, and actor, Todd weaves the melodies of traditional Victorian carols and the midwinter chimes of handbells through each episode of Charles Dickens’s seasonal ghost story.

A Christmas Carol 2025

Rackleys Chiltern Hills

Smith Square Hall

Opera North presents a captivating production of Benjamin Britten's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," set to enchant audiences from 12 October to 20 November 2024. This joyously theatrical adaptation of Shakespeare's beloved comedy unfolds in a world where the powerful Fairy King Oberon and Queen Tytania are embroiled in a fierce dispute, causing a climate catastrophe. Meanwhile, in Athens, the lives of two young women and their suitors take a tumultuous turn upon escaping to the woods, where love and chaos ensue, especially when the amateur actor Bottom finds himself in an unexpected transformation.

Directed by Martin Duncan and featuring a cast including James Laing as Oberon, Daisy Brown as Tytania, and Henry Waddington as Bottom, this production promises an intoxicating atmosphere where love is the ultimate drug. The opera, sung in English with English subtitles, is celebrated for Britten's tuneful, witty, and beguiling music that captures the essence of night, dreams, and the supernatural.

Performances are scheduled at various prestigious venues, including Leeds Grand Theatre, Newcastle Theatre Royal, The Lowry in Salford Quays, and Theatre Royal in Nottingham. The running time is approximately 3 hours, including one interval, ensuring an immersive experience. Ticket prices start from £16, with digital and printed programs available for purchase in advance.

Opera North offers a range of ticket packages and discounts, including season ticket packages, under 30s memberships, and new to opera discounts. Additionally, becoming a Friend of Opera North for just £5 per month grants early access to favorite seats, dress rehearsals, and exclusive events.

Booking dates vary by venue, with priority booking available for patrons and friends of Opera North. General ticket sales open shortly after, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to witness this spellbinding production.

Don't miss the chance to experience "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by Opera North, a production full of wit, wonder, and laughter, hailed by critics as "wonderfully funny" and "about as good as it gets."

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A Midsummer Night's Dream

Leeds Grand Theatre

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall

The Quays

**Event: National Opera Studio: Flights of Fancy**

**Date:** Saturday, 27 April 2024

**Venue:** Howard Assembly Room, Leeds

**Time:** Doors open at 6.15pm, Event starts at 7pm

**Duration:** 2 hours including one interval

**Price:** £11 (including booking fee)

**Overview:**

Immerse yourself in an evening of operatic brilliance with the National Opera Studio's "Flights of Fancy" at the Howard Assembly Room in Leeds. This semi-staged production, directed by Martin Duncan and conducted by Chris Moulds, showcases the talents of the Young Artists from the National Opera Studio during their annual residency with Opera North.

As we transition from the era of Mozart to that of Rossini, this musical exploration celebrates the contrasting styles and enduring legacies of these two monumental composers. Audiences will be treated to scenes from iconic operas such as "Le nozze di Figaro," "Idomeneo," "Die Zauberflöte," "Don Giovanni," "Guillaume Tell," "La cenerentola," and "Il turco in Italia."

The National Opera Studio stands as a beacon of opera training, offering nine months of intensive training to singers and répétiteurs poised to become the leading artists of their generation. This event not only highlights the exceptional talent of these young artists but also marks the generous support of the Leverhulme Trust for Art Scholarship bursaries, making this residency possible.

Join us for a night that promises to be a memorable journey through the operatic masterpieces that have shaped the genre. Book your tickets now for an unforgettable exploration of opera's rich history and its vibrant future.

National Opera Studio: Flights of Fancy

The Grand Theatre & Opera House Leeds

A European woman in the hands of Muslim fundamentalists. A western rescue mission goes awry. Execution by the special unit is a foregone conclusion. But: vengeance is nothing - forgiveness everything! Unfortunately only a very few have the greatness of heart to exercise it. Mozart's contribution to the clash of civilizations and a not-to-be-underestimated comedy for music.

The Abduction From The Seraglio

Max-Joseph-Platz

First seen al fresco in 2012, Will Todd and Maggie Gottlieb’s free-wheeling, tongue-twisting adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s surreal classic for Opera Holland Park gives voice to the curious and curioser characters of the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, the Dormouse, Humpty Dumpty, Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, and a positively terrifying Queen of Hearts in music that darts from a coloratura showpiece for a singing Bottle to the smoky blues of a Caterpillar with no work ethic.

Martin Duncan

Events

Upcoming events

May 31 - Jun 5, 2026

The Abduction From The Seraglio · Bayerische Staatsoper

19 - 27 Jun, 2026

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland · Opera Holland Park

Past events

15 - 16 Dec, 2025

A Christmas Carol 2025 · Opera Holland Park

Oct 12 - Nov 20, 2024

A Midsummer Night's Dream · Opera North

About

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