- Opera North: history and repertoire, seasons 1990–91 to 1996–97
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Opera North is an opera company based at The Grand Theatre, Leeds. This article covers the period when the company's Music Director was Paul Daniel.
Contents
History
The team of Paul Daniel and General Administrator Nicholas Payne brought a number of novelties to the ON repertoire before Payne's departure in 1993 to become Opera Director at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. There were British premieres of Roberto Gerhard's The Duenna and Franz Schreker's Der ferne Klang (directed by Brigitte Fassbaender) and the British professional premiere of Carl Nielsen's Maskarade. A number of arias written by Mozart for insertion into other composers' operas, together with some of his concert arias were brought together by Paul Griffiths as an opera entitled as The Jewel Box. Tchaikovsky's one-act Iolanta was reunited with his ballet The Nutcracker (performed by Matthew Bourne's Adventures in Motion Pictures) and first performed by Opera North on the 100th anniversary of their first performances in Saint Petersburg. Paul Dukas's Ariane et Barbe-bleue had its first British performance in over 50 years, and other unusual repertoire included Tippett's King Priam, Chabrier's L'étoile and Rossini's The Thieving Magpie, as well as the world premiere of Robert Saxton's Caritas.
In 1993, Nicholas Payne was succeeded by Ian Ritchie, previously Managing Director of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. The 1993-4 season included two more world premieres - Michael Berkeley's Baa-Baa Black Sheep, based on a story by Rudyard Kipling, and Benedict Mason's Playing Away, an opera about football which premiered at the Munich Biennale - as well as three neglected operas: Phyllida Lloyd's production of Benjamin Britten's Gloriana, David McVicar's production of Mozart's early Il re pastore, and Francesca Zambello's production of Puccini's La rondine. Ritchie, whose title had been General Director, left the company in 1994 to freelance as an arts management consultant, and his successor was the current General Director, Richard Mantle, who had previously worked for English National Opera, Scottish Opera and Edmonton Opera.
Notable among new productions during Paul Daniel's final three seasons as Music Director were Richard Jones's Pelléas et Mélisande (with Daniel's wife, Joan Rodgers, as Mélisande), Jonathan Miller's Il matrimonio segreto from Glimmerglass Opera, the British premiere of Chabrier's Le roi malgré lui, Verdi's first opera, Oberto (with John Tomlinson directing as well as playing the title-character), William Walton's Troilus and Cressida, Cherubini's Médée in the composer's adaptation for Vienna and Ambroise Thomas's Hamlet, as well as Tannhäuser, Iphigénie en Aulide and Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria. Following the success of Show Boat, the company staged another Broadway musical, Kurt Weill's Love Life.
Notable conductors appearing with the company during this period included Harry Bicket, Ivor Bolton, Oliver von Dohnányi, Claire Gibault, Roy Goodman, Alan Hacker, Richard Hickox, Diego Masson, Andrew Parrott, David Porcelijn, Carlo Rizzi and Antoni Ros-Marbà. Directors included Tim Albery, Annabel Arden, Tom Cairns, Martin Duncan, Caroline Gawn, Dalia Ibelhauptaitė, Helena Kaut-Howson, Jeremy Sams, Matthew Warchus and Deborah Warner.
Principal singers included sopranos Josephine Barstow, Susan Chilcott, Susannah Glanville, Mary Hegarty, Janis Kelly and Linda Kitchen, mezzo-sopranos Patricia Bardon, Alice Coote and Linda Finnie, tenors Barry Banks, Edmund Barham, Kim Begley, Philip Langridge, Paul Nilon and Christopher Ventris, baritones William Dazeley, Gerald Finley, Robert Hayward, Keith Latham, Anthony Michaels-Moore, Alan Opie and Eric Roberts, basses and bass-baritones Clive Bayley, Andrew Shore and Richard Van Allan,
Paul Daniel marked his departure to become Music Director of English National Opera with two concert performances of Erich Wolfgang Korngold's Violanta, one in Leeds and the other at The Proms. The soloists were Janice Cairns, Hans Aschenbach, Jonathan Summers, Stuart Kale and Liane Keegan.[1] He left the company in September 1997 and, pending the appointment of a new Music Director, Elgar Howarth was designated Music Advisor.
Repertoire
Below is a list of main stage[2] operas performed by the company during this period.
Season Opera[3] Composer Principal cast Conductor Director Designer[4] 1990–91 Ariane et Barbe-bleue Dukas Anne-Marie Owens (Ariane), Jonathan Best (Bluebeard) Paul Daniel Patrick Mason Joe Vaněk 1990–91 La traviata Verdi Eva Jenisová (Violetta), Bonaventura Bottone (Alfredo), Anthony Michaels-Moore/Jason Howard (Germont) Carlo Rizzi Revival of 1984-5 production 1990–91 The Threepenny Opera Weill Alan Oke (Macheath), Linda Kitchen (Polly), Kate Flowers (Jenny Diver), Mark Lufton (Peachum), Sandra Francis (Mrs Peachum) Martin Pickard Revival of 1983-4 production 1990–91 Così fan tutte Mozart Jane Leslie MacKenzie (Fiordiligi), Beverley Mills (Dorabella), Paul Nilon (Ferrando), Robert Hayward (Guglielmo), Kate Flowers (Despina), Eric Roberts (Don Alfonso) Alan Hacker Revival of 1981-2 production 1990–91 Attila Verdi John Tomlinson/Jan Galla (Attila), Karen Huffstodt/Josephine Barstow (Odabella), Edmund Barham (Foresto), Jason Howard (Ezio) Paul Daniel Ian Judge John Gunter/
Deirdre Clancy1990–91 The Jewel Box
(world premiere)Mozart[5] Barry Banks (Pedrolino), Mary Hegarty (Columbina), Pamela Helen Stephen (Composer), Jennifer Rhys-Davies (Singer), Mark Curtis (Dottore), Quentin Hayes (Pantalone), Stephen Richardson (Father) Elgar Howarth Francisco Negrin Anthony Baker 1990–91 Faust Gounod Arthur Davies (Faust), Anne Dawson (Marguerite), Richard Van Allan (Méphistophélès), Peter Savidge/Geoffrey Dolton (Valentin) David Lloyd-Jones/
Roy LaughlinRevival of 1985-6 production 1990–91 Carmen Bizet Sally Burgess (Carmen), Edmund Barham (Don José), Robert Hayward/Jason Howard (Escamillo), Anne Williams-King (Micaela) Oliver von Dohnányi Revival of 1987-8 production 1990–91 King Priam Tippett Andrew Shore (Priam), Christopher Ventris (Paris), Patricia Bardon (Helen), Neill Archer (Achilles), Eiddwen Harrhy (Hecuba), Geoffrey Dolton (Hector), Linda McLeod (Andromache) Paul Daniel Tom Cairns Tom Cairns 1990–91 Don Giovanni Mozart Robert Hayward (Don Giovanni), Helen Field (Donna Anna), Jane Leslie MacKenzie (Donna Elvira), John Hall (Leporello), Paul Nilon (Don Ottavio) Paul Daniel Tim Albery Ashley
Martin-Davis1991–92 L’étoile Chabrier Pamela Helen Stephen (Lazuli), Mary Hegarty (Princess Laoula), Anthony Mee (King Ouf), John Hall (Sirocco), Kate Flowers (Aloès), Alan Oke (Hérisson), Mark Curtis (Tapioca) Jean‑Yves Ossonce
/Martin PickardPhyllida Lloyd Anthony Ward 1991–92 La finta giardiniera Mozart Lynne Dawson (Sandrina), Paul Nilon (Belfiore), Neil Jenkins (Podestà), Richard Jackson (Nardo), Luretta Bybee/Ann Taylor (Ramiro) Alan Hacker Revival of 1989-90 production 1991–92 Don Giovanni Mozart Robert Hayward (Don Giovanni), Helen Field/Bronwen Mills (Donna Anna), Jane Leslie MacKenzie (Donna Elvira), John Hall (Leporello), Paul Nilon (Don Ottavio) Christopher Gayford Revival of 1990-91 production 1991–92 The Jewel Box Mozart Barry Banks (Pedrolino), Mary Hegarty (Columbina), Pamela Helen Stephen (Composer), Jennifer Rhys-Davies (Singer), Mark Curtis (Dottore), Quentin Hayes (Pantalone), Mark Glanville (Father) Roy Laughlin/
Elgar HowarthRevival of 1990-91 production 1991–92 Caritas
(world premiere)Saxton Eirian Davies (Christine), Jonathan Best (Bishop Henry), Christopher Ventris (Robert), David Gwynne (Richard) Diego Masson Patrick Mason Joe Vaněk 1991–92 Maskarade Nielsen Paul Nilon (Leander), Mary Hegarty (Leonora), Geoffrey Dolton (Henrik), Linda Ormiston (Magdelone), Clive Bayley (Jeronimus) Roy Laughlin Revival of 1989-90 production 1991–92 Madama Butterfly Puccini Maryanne Telese (Butterfly), Richard Taylor/David Maxwell Anderson (Pinkerton), Keith Latham (Sharpless), Patricia Bardon (Suzuki) Martin André Jonathan Alver Lez Brotherston/
Stephen Rodwell1991–92 Der ferne Klang
(British premiere)Schreker Virginia Kerr (Grete), Kim Begley (Fritz), William Dazeley (Count), Peter Sidhom (Dr Vigelius) Paul Daniel Brigitte
FassbaenderUltz 1991–92 La gazza ladra Rossini Anne Dawson (Ninetta), Barry Banks (Giannetto), Andrew Shore (Podestà), Matthew Best (Fernando), Elizabeth McCormack (Pippo) Ivor Bolton Martin Duncan Sue Blane 1991–92 Rigoletto Verdi Keith Latham/Michael Lewis (Rigoletto), David Maxwell Anderson (Duke), Juliet Booth (Gilda) John Pryce-Jones Patrick Mason Joe Vaněk 1991–92 Boris Godunov Mussorgsky John Tomlinson (Boris), Paul Charles Clarke (Grigory), Jeffrey Lawton (Shuisky), Matthew Best (Pimen) Paul Daniel Revival of 1988-89 production 1992–93 The Duenna
(British premiere)Gerhard Susan Chilcott (Luisa), Pamela Helen Stephen (Clara), Adrian Clarke (Ferdinand), Gordon Wilson (Antonio), Andrew Shore (Jerome), Eric Roberts (Isaac), Gillian Knight (The Duenna) Antoni Ros-Marbà Helena
Kaut-HowsonSue Blane 1992–93 Rigoletto Verdi Michael Lewis (Rigoletto), David Maxwell Anderson (Duke), Rosa Mannion (Gilda) Paul Daniel Revival of 1991-2 production 1992–93 The Marriage of Figaro Mozart Gerald Finley/David Mattinson (Figaro), Linda Kitchen/Mary Plazas (Susanna), Robert Hayward/William Dazeley (Count), Jane Leslie MacKenzie (Countess), Ann Taylor-Morley/Pamela Helen Stephen (Cherubino) Andrew Parrott Caroline Gawn Alison Chitty 1992–93 Orpheus in the Underworld Offenbach Harry Nicoll (Orpheus), Yvonne Barclay (Euridice), Eric Roberts (Jupiter) Wyn Davies Martin Duncan Tim Hatley 1992–93 Billy Budd Britten Jason Howard (Billy Budd), Nigel Robson/Philip Langridge (Captain Vere), John Tomlinson (Claggart) Elgar Howarth Graham Vick Chris Dyer 1992–93 Iolanta[6] Tchaikovsky Joan Rodgers (Iolanta), Kim Begley (Vaudémont), Robert Hayward (Robert), Gwynne Howell/Norman Bailey (King René) David Lloyd-Jones/
Martin PickardMartin Duncan Anthony Ward 1992–93 Don Carlos Verdi Richard Burke (Carlos), Linda McLeod (Elisabetta), Anthony Michaels-Moore (Posa), John Tomlinson (Philip II), Claire Powell (Eboli) Paul Daniel/
Roy LaughlinTim Albery Hildegard Bechtler
/Nicky Gillibrand1992–93 La bohème Puccini William Burden (Rodolfo), Jane Leslie MacKenzie (Mimi), Robert Hayward (Marcello), Juliet Booth (Musetta) Roy Laughlin/
Paul DanielPhyllida Lloyd Anthony Ward 1992–93 La Gioconda Ponchielli Rosalind Plowright/Marie Slorach (Gioconda), Edmund Barham (Enzo), Sally Burgess (Laura), Keith Latham (Barnaba) Oliver von Dohnányi Philip Prowse Philip Prowse 1992–93 Wozzeck Berg Andrew Shore (Wozzeck), Vivian Tierney (Marie), Jeffrey Lawton (Captain), John Rath (Doctor), Alan Woodrow (Drum-Major) Paul Daniel Deborah Warner Hildegard Bechtler
/Nicky Gillibrand1993–94 The Love for Three Oranges Prokofiev Christopher Ventris (The Prince), Paul Harrhy (Truffaldino), Andrew Shore (Leander), Maria Moll (Fata Morgana) Wyn Davies/
Martin PickardRevival of 1988-9 production 1993–94 La bohème Puccini Gordon Wilson (Rodolfo), Juliet Booth (Mimi), Robert Hayward (Marcello), Janis Kelly (Musetta) Bruno Aprea Revival of 1992-3 production 1993–94 Tamerlano Handel Christopher Robson (Tamburlaine), Philip Langridge (Bajazet), Graham Pushee (Andronicus), Rosa Mannion (Asteria), Patricia Bardon (Irene) Roy Goodman Revival of 1984-5 production 1993–94 Baa-Baa Black Sheep
(world premiere)Berkeley William Dazeley (Mowgli), Fiona Kimm (Auntirosa), Henry Newman (Captain) Paul Daniel Jonathan Moore David Blight 1993–94 Il re pastore Mozart Joan Rodgers (Amyntas), Mary Hegarty (Elisa), Martyn Hill (Alexander), Patricia Bardon (Tamyris), Philip Salmon (Agenor) Paul Daniel David McVicar Frank Higgins/
David McVicar1993–94 Gloriana Britten Josephine Barstow (Elizabeth I), Thomas Randle (Essex), Susan Chilcott (Lady Rich), Karl Daymond (Mountjoy), Yvonne Burnett (Lady Essex), Clive Bayley (Raleigh), Eric Roberts (Cecil) Paul Daniel Phyllida Lloyd Anthony Ward 1993–94 La traviata Verdi Michal Shamir (Violetta), David Maxwell Anderson (Alfredo), Peter Sodhom (Germont) Jean‑Yves Ossonce
/Roy LaughlinRevival of 1984-5 production 1993–94 L’étoile Chabrier Pamela Helen Stephen (Lazuli), Mary Hegarty (Princess Laoula), Paul Nilon (King Ouf), Jonathan Best/Richard Van Allan (Sirocco), Kate Flowers (Aloès), Alan Oke (Hérisson), Mark Curtis (Tapioca) Valentin Reymond Revival of 1991-2 production 1993–94 La rondine Puccini Helen Field (Magda), Tito Beltrán (Ruggero), Peter Bronder (Prunier), Anna Maria Panzarella (Lisette), Peter Savidge (Rambaldo) David Lloyd-Jones Francesca
ZambelloBruno Schwengl 1993–94 The Magic Flute Mozart William Burden (Tamino), Linda Kitchen (Pamina), William Dazeley (Papageno), John Rath (Sarastro), Eileen Hulse (Queen of the Night) Andrew Parrott Annabel Arden Rae Smith 1993–94 Playing Away
(world premiere)Mason Philip Sheffield (Terry Bond), Rebecca Caine (LA Lola), Richard Suart (Stan Stock) Paul Daniel David Pountney Huntley Muir 1994–95 Le roi malgré lui
(British premiere)Chabrier Russell Smythe (Henri), Justin Lavender (Nangis), Rosa Mannion (Minka), Nicholas Folwell (Laski) Paul Daniel Jeremy Sams Lez Brotherston 1994–95 The Magic Flute Mozart William Burden (Tamino), Linda Kitchen (Pamina), Karl Daymond (Papageno), John Rath (Sarastro), Eileen Hulse (Queen of the Night) Harry Bicket Revival of 1993-4 production 1994–95 Il trovatore Verdi Edmund Barham (Manrico), Katerina Kudriavchenko (Leonora), Sally Burgess/Claire Powell (Azucena), Ettore Kim (Count di Luna) Paul Daniel/
Roy LaughlinInga Levant Charles Edwards 1994–95 Il matrimonio segreto Cimarosa Paul Nilon (Paolino), Linda Kitchen (Carolina), Andrew Shore (Geronimo), Jonathan Best (Count Robinson), Mary Plazas (Elisetta), Tamsin Dives (Fidalma) Richard Farnes Jonathan Miller John Conklin/
Stephen Rodwell1994–95 Oberto Verdi John Tomlinson (Oberto), Rita Cullis (Leonora), David Maxwell Anderson (Riccardo) Linda Finnie (Cuniza) David Porcelijn John Tomlinson Russell Craig 1994–95 Tosca Puccini Josephine Barstow/Marie Slorach (Tosca), Patrick Power (Cavaradossi), Matthew Best (Scarpia) Stefano Ranzani Revival of 1987-8 production 1994–95 Troilus and Cressida Walton Arthur Davies (Troilus), Judith Howarth (Cressida), Nigel Robson (Pandarus), Alan Opie (Diomede), Clive Bayley (Calkas), Yvonne Howard (Evadne) Richard Hickox/
Martin PickardMatthew Warchus Neil Warmington 1994–95 Les pêcheurs de perles Bizet Arthur Davies (Nadir), André Cognet (Zurga), Maria D’Aragnes (Leila) Dietfried Bernet Revival of 1988-9 production 1994–95 Orpheus in the Underworld Offenbach Jamie MacDougall (Orpheus), Yvonne Barclay (Euridice), Eric Roberts (Jupiter) Paul McGrath Revival of 1992-3 production 1994–95 Pelléas et Mélisande Debussy Joan Rodgers (Mélisande), William Dazeley (Pelléas), Robert Hayward (Golaud) Paul Daniel Richard Jones Antony McDonald
/Nicky Gillibrand1995–96 Hamlet Thomas Anthony Michaels-Moore/Karl Daymond (Hamlet), Rebecca Caine (Ophélie), Linda Finnie (Gertrude), Jan Galla (Claudius), John Rath (Ghost) Oliver von Dohnányi David McVicar Michael Vale 1995–96 Les pêcheurs de perles Bizet Léonard Pezzino (Nadir), André Cognet/Peter Savidge (Zurga), Maria D’Aragnes (Leila) Brad Cohen Revival of 1988-9 production 1995–96 Jenůfa Janáček Stephanie Friede (Jenůfa), Josephine Barstow (Kostelnička), Julian Gavin (Laca), Neill Archer/Jeffrey Stewart (Števa) Paul Daniel Tom Cairns Tom Cairns 1995–96 Luisa Miller Verdi Susannah Glanville (Luisa), Arthur Davies (Rodolfo), Alan Opie (Miller), Matthew Best (Walter), Clive Bayley (Wurm) Paul Daniel Tim Albery Stewart Lang 1995–96 La bohème Puccini Tito Beltrán/Alan Oke (Rodolfo), Margaret Richardson (Mimi), Karl Daymond (Marcello), Elena Ferrari (Musetta) Jean‑Yves Ossonce
/Martin FitzpatrickRevival of 1992-3 production 1995–96 Love Life Weill Margaret Preece (Susan), Alan Oke (Sam), Geoffrey Dolton (Magician/Vaudevillian/Hobo) Wyn Davies Caroline Gawn Charles Edwards/
Nicky Gillibrand1995–96 Médée Cherubini Josephine Barstow (Médée), Thomas Randle (Jason), Nicola Sharkey (Dircé), Norman Bailey (Creon) Paul Daniel Phyllida Lloyd Ian MacNeil/
Kandis Cook1995–96 The Duenna Gerhard Susannah Glanville (Luisa), Ann Taylor (Clara), Adrian Clarke (Ferdinand), Neill Archer (Antonio), Richard Van Allan (Jerome), Eric Roberts (Isaac), Claire Powell (The Duenna) Antoni Ros-Marbà Revival of 1992-3 production 1995–96 The Marriage of Figaro Mozart Clive Bayley (Figaro), Linda Kitchen (Susanna), William Dazeley (Count), Janis Kelly (Countess), Alice Coote/Ann Taylor (Cherubino) Richard Farnes Caroline Gawn Alice Purcell 1996–97 The Marriage of Figaro Mozart Richard Whitehouse (Figaro), Mary Hegarty (Susanna), Roderick Williams (Count), Janis Kelly (Countess), Ann Taylor (Cherubino) Paul Goodwin Revival of 1995-6 production 1996–97 Madama Butterfly Puccini Chen Sue (Butterfly), Mark Nicolson (Pinkerton), Peter Savidge/Simon Thorpe (Sharpless), Liane Keegan (Suzuki) Marco Zambelli/
Martin Pickard/
Paul DanielDalia
IbelhauptaitėOleg Cheintsis 1996–97 Iphigénie en Aulide Gluck Lynne Dawson (Iphigenia), Neill Archer (Achilles), Christopher Purves (Agammemnon), Della Jones (Clytemnestra), John Rath (Calchas) Valentin Reymond Tim Hopkins Nigel Lowery 1996–97 Wozzeck Berg Andrew Shore (Wozzeck), Josephine Barstow (Marie), Peter Bronder (Captain), Clive Bayley (Doctor), Jacque Trussel/Keith Mills (Drum-Major) Paul Daniel Revival of 1992-3 production 1996–97 Gloriana Britten Josephine Barstow (Elizabeth I), Thomas Randle (Essex), Susannah Glanville (Lady Rich), Karl Daymond (Mountjoy), Ruth Peel (Lady Essex), Clive Bayley (Raleigh), Eric Roberts (Cecil) James Holmes/
Paul DanielRevival of 1993-4 production 1996–97 Falstaff Verdi Andrew Shore (Falstaff), Rita Cullis (Alice Ford), Robert Hayward (Ford), Paul Nilon (Fenton), Margaret Richardson (Nanetta), Frances McCafferty (Mistress Quickly), Yvonne Howard (Meg Page) Paul Daniel Matthew Warchus Laura Hopkins 1996–97 Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria Monteverdi Alice Coote (Penelope), Nigel Robson (Ulysses) Harry Bicket/
Martin PickardAnnabel Arden Tim Hatley 1996–97 Tannhäuser Wagner Jeffrey Lawton (Tannhäuser), Rita Cullis (Elisabeth), Anne-Marie (Venus), Keith Latham (Wolfram), Norman Bailey (Landgrave) Paul Daniel/
James HolmesDavid Fielding David Fielding 1996–97 Cosí fan tutte Mozart Susannah Glanville (Fiordiligi), Emma Selway (Dorabella), Paul Nilon (Ferrando), William Dazeley (Guglielmo), Linda Kitchen (Despina), Jonathan Best (Don Alfonso) Claire Gibault/
Martin FitzpatrickTim Albery Matthew Howland
Robin Rawstorne
/Tania SpoonerSource
- Leeks, Stuart (ed) (2003). Opera North @ 25. Leeds: Opera North.
References
- ^ Review of the Leeds performance in The Independent.
- ^ "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. Opera titles are those used in Wikipedia 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
- ^ Arranged by Paul Griffiths
- ^ Performed as a double-bill with Adventures in Motion Pictures’ version of The Nutcracker to celebrate the centenary of both works.
See also
Categories:- Opera North
- Opera-related lists
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