The Magic Flute – Charles Eager in Conversation With Kang Wang, Vuvu Mpofu and James Brining
Charles Eager catches up with Kang Wang, leading man of Opera North’s current production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, on playing the hero, Tamino; the leading lady, Vuvu Mpofu, on playing the heroine Pamina; and with James Brining, the opera’s director (normally of Leeds Playhouse). KANG WANG Do you have a favourite moment in the […]
The Delines at Howard Assembly Room on 30 January
Charles Eager was there for a short but sweet Americana set from an amiable and charismatic band. Thanks to my mad guitar teacher, who sometimes—this night included—doubles the length of my lesson seemingly arbitrarily, I arrived late to this concert, missing the first song or two by supporting act Alasdair Roberts. Walking, shamefaced, into the […]
Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’ at Opera North at Leeds Grand Theatre Until 1 March 2019
James Brining’s new production allows the genius of Mozart to shine—albeit through some occasionally confusing symbolism. The famous overture to the opera is struck up by the orchestra of Opera North—who are throughout the night on fine form—as the curtain rises to show a child going to bed. Her role—although silent and virtually completely disconnected […]
Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker : At Leeds Grand Theatre from 4 – 16 December 2018.
Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet is given a sensitive and beautifully imagined performance – reviewed by Charles Eager. The Christmas period—it is not complete, these days, without It’s A Wonderful Life, some version of A Christmas Carol, Handel’s Messiah, and, of course, Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. As Northern Ballet’s Artistic Director (as well as director of choreography, costume design, […]
Silent Night: the UK première, Opera North at Leeds Town Hall, 30 Nov 2018
This UK première proves ‘well worth driving from the Lakes for’. Richard Mantle, Opera North’s General Director, tells us in the programme that this production—alongside Not Such Quiet Girls, already reviewed in these pages by the able hand of Mr Graham—represents the ‘pivotal point’ of Opera North’s current season, ‘Before War and After’. And what […]
