How Leeds cultural gem Opera North is 'revitalising a neglected part of New Briggate'
Here is a round-up of the exciting plans and how they are coming together.
What is Opera North?
One of England’s largest arts companies, it permanently employs more than 250 people including highly-skilled costume-makers, stage managers, electricians, stage technicians, props-makers, sound and lighting technicians, educators, designers, and, of course, musicians, in addition to working with around 370 freelance performers, creatives and artists each year.
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Hide AdIts award-winning opera productions are created and premiered in Leeds, and the company performs at Leeds Grand Theatre each season before touring its productions to theatres across the country.
What is the Howard Opera Centre?
The Howard Opera Centre will be a headquarters containing Opera North’s rehearsal studios, costume and wigs workshop, and administrative offices.
Situated in the heart of Leeds city centre on New Briggate and Harrison Street, the redevelopment, known as Music Works, will create a "world-class" facility to make opera, including a new Education Studio and additional rehearsal spaces, as well as a new rehearsal room for the Orchestra and Chorus of Opera North and a suite of music coaching rooms.
The centre will join another space named ten years earlier in recognition of Dr Keith Howard’s support for the company, the Howard Assembly Room, an eclectic 300 seat performancevenue offering a diverse calendar of jazz, world music, folk, classical concerts, children’s opera, talks, film and installations.
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Hide AdOriginally opened in 2009 following extensive restoration, the Howard Assembly Room is currently closed during the Music Works redevelopment project, and willreopen in 2021 with a new dedicated and fully accessible entrance and atrium, an increased number of performances, and a new restaurant and bar replacing a row of previously vacant shop units on New Briggate.
The redevelopment project, which began on site during summer 2019, is being delivered by Henry Boot Construction, an award-winning regional construction contractor based in Sheffield,.
The Music Works redevelopment is scheduled to be completed in phases, with the Howard Opera Centre opening in late 2020, and the Howard Assembly Room, restaurant and atrium scheduled for completion in 2021.
Who is it named after?
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Hide AdThe company announced last week that it would be named after philanthropist Dr Keith Howard OBE - just like the Howard Assembly Room - in recognition of his £11.25 million gift contribution towards the latest redevelopment project.
The sum is thought to be among the largest private donations ever made to a UK arts company outside of London.
Dr Howard, a lifelong opera lover and cricket fan, is the founder of Bingley-based Emerald Group Publishing and is president of Opera North.
How much does it cost all together and who else paying?
The overall target for the Music Works fundraising campaign is £18 million.