2015 at Opera North: The highlights

We began 2015 in celebration, as Figaro and Susanna, after a bit of a bumpy ride, got married! Striking characterisations and the wittiest of translations delivered with aplomb caused Jo Davies’ production of The Marriage of Figaro to be a true highlight, making the Telegraph’s top 5 opera productions of the year.

Alessandro Talevi’s gorgeous belle epoque La traviata rolled on from 2014, with Polish soprano Anna Jeruc–Kopec taking on the role of heroine Violetta, giving a devestating performance.

Our double bill of one act operas - Manuel de Falla’s La vida breve and Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi - caused quite a stir! Shocking tragedy combined with an ingenious take on a satyr made this a truly unique evening.

In May, our dizzying production of Rogers and Hammerstein’s glorious Carousel made a welcome return. Full of joy, tragedy and overriding sense of optimism, Carousel caused many a soggy handkerchief to leave the theatre!

During the summer, we jumped aboard The Flying Dutchman and plunged headfirst into a Wagnerian storm. With Music Director Richard Farnes at the helm, the Dutchman, in a dramatic performance for the concert hall, functioned as a thrilling prelude to our full Ring cycles this coming year. We can’t wait!

In September, our first ever staging of Cole Porter’s Kiss Me, Kate hit the stage. Featuring opera singers, musical theatre stars, spectacular dancing, one of the largest casts to ever perform in an Opera North production, and one knock out tune after another, it was, quite simply, 'Too Darn Hot'!

Our autumnal visits to The Barber of Seville caused all much enjoyment! Winning any competition for how many notes could be sung in one evening, Giles Havergal’s charming interpretation of Rossini’s comedy caused waves of chuckles to echo around the auditorium.

Janacek’s Jenůfa took us on one of the most intense emotional journeys of the year – we’re still a wreck! Unforgettable performances, including that from Susan Bickley as the Kostelnicka (who has been nominated for outstanding contribution to opera in this year’s What’s In Stage Opera Poll), made Jenufa an unforgettable and hair-raising experience.