New exhibition to celebrate history of opera in Leeds

The free exhibition explores the companies and artists who first brought opera to Leeds. It will include a self-guided audio tour of forgotten theatres across the city, at which historic performances took place. 

The festival has launched a companion online resource, accessible here, which includes three documentary films created during lockdown focusing on different eras of the research, and featuring guests including Richard Farnes and John Savournin.

Leeds Opera Festival artistic director David Ward said: 'Whilst audiences and artists often return to the classic, centuries-old operas of the past, it strikes me that we seldom talk about the history of performance – particularly outside of London.

'Leeds has an amazing operatic heritage going all the way back to 1729. Delving into the forgotten operas, artists and theatres that have contributed to this heritage has been fascinating. It really tells the story not only of how opera has changed over the past 300 years, but of how the city has changed as well. I hope that the exhibition will resonate with audiences regardless of their operatic knowledge!'

Leeds Opera Festival runs this year from 27-31 August. The exhibition runs from 23-30 August. For more information click here.