Opera North – The Sound of Music: bringing Salzburg to Leeds.
Few musicals hold the enduring affection like The Sound of Music, a show that continues to captivate audiences across generations.
This summer, Opera North brings the beloved classic to the stage at Leeds Grand Theatre, under the revival direction of Ollie Khurshid. Known for his work in musical theatre, Khurshid steps into the world of opera for the first time, offering a fresh take on a timeless story.
“I’m having a wonderful time up here,” he says. “It’s fantastic to be working with Opera North, a wonderful company, and to be doing The Sound of Music again with such a powerhouse of UK theatre.”
A Musical Classic, Reimagined
While Opera North is best known for opera, this production offers something special: the full magic of a classic musical, elevated on an operatic scale.
“This is The Sound of Music as everyone knows and loves it,” Khurshid explains. “All of those iconic songs are there. But we also get Opera North’s incredible strengths: a 40-piece orchestra playing Rodgers and Hammerstein’s score, and the full power of the Opera North chorus. You won’t hear this music played like this anywhere else in the country.”
For Khurshid, that scale transforms the experience entirely. “You’ll feel the power of all those players in the pit. It will make those songs transcend and melt your heart in a completely new way.”
A Story That Still Resonates
Though rooted in the past, The Sound of Music continues to feel strikingly relevant.“It’s such a timeless show,” he says. “It asks universal questions: what it means to be a family, how we face challenges, how we hold on to joy and freedom in difficult times.” Those themes, he believes, land just as strongly with younger audiences. “The Von Trapp children are the beating heart of the show. They bring so much energy and joy. Children and adults alike can’t help but fall in love with them.”
But beneath the joy lies a more serious message. “It’s a wonderfully joyful musical, but it has a really hard-hitting story. War still exists. People are still fleeing oppression. How do we hold on to joy and love in the face of hatred and oppression? And that feels particularly urgent right now. It might shock audiences how close to home this story feels.”
A Fresh Perspective
This production builds on a staging first seen at Curve Theatre Leicester, but arrives in Leeds with a new cast, renewed energy and a whole heap of operatic energy.
“We’re making it with fresh eyes,” Khurshid says. “We’re digging into the story and characters from today’s perspective, finding new light in them. Audiences will recognise the story, but seeing it live, with this cast, this orchestra and Michael Taylor’s exquisite set design, will be a completely new experience.”
At the centre of it all is Katie Bird, a member of the Opera North chorus, as Maria. “Katie is fantastic,” he says. “She has such a zest for life and natural energy; you can’t help but fall in love with her. She brings fresh life to such an iconic role.”
The Joy (and Chaos) of the Von Trapps
Casting the Von Trapp children was no small task. “We saw thousands of self-tapes and hundreds of young actors in person,” Khurshid reveals. “It was one of the hardest parts of the process.” The result, though, is something special. “We have two teams of six children, aged around 8 to 13, mostly from Leeds and the surrounding region. They bring a wonderfully natural chaos; something only children can bring. You can’t help but smile and sing along.”
Opera North and the Leeds Community
For Khurshid, working with Opera North has also revealed the company’s deep connection to the City.
“They’re absolutely at the heart of Leeds’ cultural life,” he says. “They do so much outreach work, particularly with young people. It’s inspiring to see how committed they are to making theatre accessible.”
That accessibility is central to this production, with initiatives designed to encourage young members of Leeds community to experience theatre at its very best. For those under-30, tickets are available at just £10 each and there’s a 25% discount for families, as well as offering regular matinee and accessible performances, including Captioned, British Sign Language interpreted and Audio Described with Touch Tours beforehand.
“Access is crucial,” Khurshid says. “It’s fantastic to see these initiatives genuinely bringing new people to the theatre. The Sound of Music is the perfect show for that…it’s for everyone.”
A Gateway to Opera
Although this marks Khurshid’s first professional collaboration with an opera company, he
sees productions like this as a bridge between art forms. “Opera can feel unfamiliar to some people,” he admits. “But it offers extraordinary experiences. Hopefully, people who come to see this show will discover what Opera North can do, and maybe feel inspired to come back for something new.”
Moments to Look Forward To
With so many iconic songs, choosing a favourite isn’t easy, but a couple stand out. “‘Do-Re-Mi’ is such an explosion of energy and joy,” he says. “And the title song, ‘The Sound of Music’, is just exquisitely sung by Katie. That opening moment, when the audience first sees the set…it’s really special.”
The Perfect Summer Treat
For audiences wondering whether they need to revisit a story they already know, Khurshid is clear: “It’s the perfect summer treat for all generations. It’s fun, full of joy, but it also tells a story that feels urgent and relevant. It asks us how we hold on to joy and freedom in a difficult world.”
And in a production that combines the emotional pull of musical theatre with the sonic power of opera, this Sound of Music promises to be something truly memorable. I’ll be bringing my own two young children, aged six and eight, who are already devoted fans, a reminder of just how timeless this story really is. For us as parents, the added excitement lies in hearing this much-loved score performed by a full 40 piece live orchestra; a rare opportunity to experience the music on a scale that elevates it beyond anything we’ve seen before.
The Sound of Music runs at Leeds Grand Theatre from 9 July to 1 August – tickets here.
They are selling fast, so grab yours whilst you can!
Main image: Sound of Music rehearsals. Photograph by Steffi Njoya. (More rehearsal images to follow.)
