Opera North return to Lowry with a stunning new season of classic tales and fresh productions

Phyllida Lloyd’s (Mamma Mia!, The Iron Lady) acclaimed production of Puccini’s La Bohème opens Opera North’s programme, retelling the iconic Parisian love story of Rodolfo and Mimì with irresistible warmth and humanity. From their first meeting in a freezing attic to their tender and heartbreaking farewell, this poignant and accessible opera captures the joy and fragility of youth and love in a timeless musical tale.

Brought vividly to life by the Orchestra of Opera North, Puccini’s stunning score brings humour, passion and sorrow in equal measure. Hailed by The Guardian as “unmatched,” this unmissable production remains one of the most compelling interpretations of the classic story and is guaranteed to captivate seasoned opera fans and first-timers alike.

Handel’s music meets contemporary dance in this searing, timely collaboration between Opera North and Phoenix Dance theatre, in a new production hailed as ‘stunning’ by The Times and ‘work of music and dance that is as fierce as it is tender’ by Northern Arts Review.

Susanna finds herself the target of two powerful men whose lies and manipulations threaten to destroy her reputation. As her community turns against her, she stands defiantly with her truth, creating a story that resonates powerfully with modern conversations around gender and justice while exploring the corrupting influence of power structures and the challenge of creating an inclusive and equitable society.

With stirring choral passages and delicate arias performed alongside striking physical theatre, Susanna is an ambitious, innovative reimagining of Handel’s original masterwork.

Tickets for a free pre-show talk are available to book HERE.

Billed as a playful, family-friendly show designed for children aged 5-12, The Big Opera Mystery offers the perfect introduction to live music and theatre for younger audiences. Lasting just under an hour, visitors of all ages and tastes can enjoy a bite-sized operatic dose of humour, surprises, irresistible songs and a wonderfully immersive story.

A master thief has struck, and the only detectives capable of solving the case are in the audience. Together with the Orchestra of Opera North, young sleuths will meet a host of operatic characters and help crack the mystery through music, clues and endless interactive fun.

Next March, Mozart’s sparkling comedy returns in a lively new show filled with schemes, disguises and whip-smart deception.

When the happiest day of Figaro and Susanna’s lives are thrown into disarray by the wandering affections of Count Almaviva, a madcap chain of events unfolds in a fast-paced tangle of hidden agendas, mistaken identities and last-minute revelations as the couple fight to secure their happy ending.

Reimagined in a stylish modern country home, this new staging brings a fresh twist to the beloved classic while remaining faithful to Mozart’s dazzling original work.

Benjamin Britten’s masterpiece Peter Grimes returns in Phyllida Lloyd’s multi-award-winning adaptation of the gripping, sea-swept classic.

Set in a tightly wound coastal community, the opera follows outsider fisherman Grimes, torn between his dreams of love with schoolteacher Ellen Orford and the murky truths of his troubled character. As suspicion grows, he becomes a lightning rod for the town’s fears, leading to devastating consequences.

With grand, rugged imagery and music of extraordinary intensity, Britten’s opera offers a stage experience both boundlessly epic and deeply intimate. Praised by The Guardian as “maybe the greatest opera, period,” Opera North’s production presents a rare chance to witness a modern triumph performed with raw power and emotional depth.

Tickets for a free pre-show talk are available to book HERE.