Programme revealed for 2024 Leeds Opera Festival
Florence Lockheart
Thursday, January 18, 2024
This year’s programme is centred around the theme of mystery and is set to include the premiere of the first ever opera adaptation of Sherlock Holmes
Northern Opera Group has today launched the programme for the 2024 Leeds Opera Festival. This year’s edition will run from 17 August to 8 September with a programme of premieres and collaborations centred around the theme of mystery as well as the festival’s first guest artistic director, yet to be announced.
The festival’s 8th edition is set to offer the world premiere of Northern Opera Group’s latest new commission. Sherlock Holmes and The Sign of Four is a new interpretation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s 19th century mystery novel and the first-ever opera adaptation of the enigmatic detective. Created by composer Lliam Paterson, the production will star bass Edward Hawkins in the role of Sherlock alongside tenor David Horton (Watson), soprano Ellen Mawhinney (Mary), and bass Trevor Bowes (Jonathan Small).
The festival continues on the theme of mystery with interactive family-friendly show The Book of Eternity written by children’s author Clare Povey. Touring over 20 libraries across Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield and Kirklees, the show aims to bring accessible opera to diverse communities across the region. For older audience members, Leeds Opera festival 2024 will also feature an immersive ‘musical escape room’ in collaboration with a local Escape Room company and seeks to offer a fusion of music and mystery.
Northern Opera Group is set to announce singer auditions and further roles with the 2024 Festival in the coming weeks.
