Operawatch
Opera Correspondent Robert Hamilton maintains a steady watch over operatic events in the North of England.
Preview: OperaWatch, Winter 2020
On the eve of the EU referendum in 2016, Richard Mantle, the general director of Opera North, warned of the detrimental effect a no vote would have on the “enormous talent pool which is Europe”.
Read the full story..Opera Review: Bluebeard’s Castle by Béla Bartók and Sinfonetta by Leoš Janáček, Opera North, Huddersfield Town Hall
The first thing that greets you as you leave Huddersfield Train Station is the tall statue of the short Harold Wilson, well 5’ 8” according to Google.
Read the full story..Review: The Greek Passion by Bohuslav Martinü, Opera North, The Lowry, Salford
Saturday night was going to be big.
Read the full story..Preview: OperaWatch, Autumn 2019
As the month of November approaches, we are well and truly into Autumn which can mean only one thing: the return of a new opera season.
Read the full story..Review: The Intelligence Park, Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester
There is an old joke that goes like this.
Read the full story..Review: Aida, Opera North, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Of all the iconic Italian operas, I had yet to see Verdi’s Aida.
Read the full story..Opera Review: Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci, City of Manchester Opera, Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester
For some reason, May 23 stuck in my mind. It was an important day, but I couldn’t remember why. At my age, this happens with frightening regularity.
Read the full story..Preview: OperaWatch, Summer 2019
As keen readers of OperaWatch will know (thank you, Freda and Eric Thwaites), summer is traditionally a quiet period for opera here in the North.
Read the full story..Opera Review: The Pilgrim’s Progress, Ralph Vaughan Williams, RNCM
At OperaWatch we always look forward to an invitation to the latest student production at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM).
Read the full story..Opera Review: The Rite of Spring by Igor Stravinsky; Gianni Schacci by Giacomo Puccini, Opera North, The Lowry
It’s the end of a fantastic spring season by Opera North at Salford’s Lowry.
Read the full story..Editor's Picks
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