Families and Young Audiences

Families and Young Audiences

As part of our annual work for primary schools Opera North tours around the north of England to rural and intimate venues with an opera suitable for families and young audiences.

Last year we toured a brand new opera by composer Jonathan Dove and librettist Alasdair Middleton, Swanhunter. Jonathan Dove wrote the hugely successful The Adventures of Pinocchio two years ago, which saw theatre across England, and now the world, packed with young people and families.

Directed by Claire Whistler and designed by Dody Nash, the production was performed by Yvonne Howard, Frances Bourne, Elizabeth Cragg, Nicholas Sharratt, Graeme Broadbent and Andrew Rees, many of whom are familiar faces to Opera North. After opening in the Howard Assembly Room, Leeds in November, this new commission toured to Hexham, Thoresby, Bridlington and Berwick-upon-Tweed.

“In creating work for children, I have been struck by the power of a good story in capturing young imaginations.  It is deeply satisfying to watch an audience of children all lean forwards as the show begins… their desire to find out what was going to happen next overcame the unfamiliarity of this kind of storytelling.” Jonathan Dove

“When librettist Alasdair Middleton told me a story from the Kalevala in which a mother sings her son back to life, I knew instantly this had to be an opera.  What could be better than a story celebrating the magical and healing power of human song?" Jonathan Dove.