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Next Generation Of Musicians To Perform Eugene Onegin

Opera North Youth Chorus performing at the Opera North Youth Company Spring Concert 2022. Photo credit Justin Slee.

The Opera North Youth Orchestra and Youth Chorus will be joining forces for the very first time this Sunday 5 March when they perform Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin alongside professional soloists from the Chorus of Opera North.

The concert performance of Eugene Onegin is being held at 3pm in the Great Hall at the University of Leeds. Through the story of Tatyana and Onegin, Tchaikovsky’s work explores the universal themes of innocence and experience, love and hatred. As a teenager, Tatyana is impressed by the sophisticated Onegin when he arrives at her family’s country house and, on an impulse, writes a love letter to him - an action which changes both their lives forever. The performance will be preceded by Britten’s Russian Funeral performed by brass and percussion and conducted by Opera North’s Female Conductor Trainee, Joséphine Korda.

Opera North Youth Orchestra showcases young musicians of the future. Photo credit Justin Slee

The Opera North Youth Orchestra was established in 2021 as a pre-professional ensemble for young musicians at sixth form or university already playing at Grade 8 or above. The aspiring instrumentalists meet on selected weekends in Opera North’s rehearsal rooms to prepare challenging repertoire under the guidance of conductor Oliver Rundell with mentoring from members of the Orchestra of Opera North. On this occasion, they will be joined by the young singers of the Opera North Youth Chorus. Open to 16- to 19-year-olds, this choral ensemble gives young people the opportunity to work with professional artists to develop their singing and musicianship, as well as building skills in drama and stagecraft.

Jacqui Cameron, Opera North Education Director, said:

“This is the first opportunity to appreciate the combined skills of our young instrumentalists and young singers, which makes it a particularly special occasion for the performers and audience alike. We have been incredibly impressed by the professional way in which these talented young people have approached the challenge of performing Eugene Onegin with the Chorus of Opera North and are very much looking forward to hearing the result of all their hard work.”

Anyone inspired by the performance to audition for one of Opera North’s youth groups will be able to do so in April. Auditions for young people keen to join the Youth Orchestra are being held in the Howard Opera Centre in Leeds on Sunday 23 April, while the ones for the Youth Chorus are on Wednesday 26 April, Wednesday 3 May and Thursday 13 July. Further information on how to apply can be found on Opera North’s website.

Tickets for Eugene Onegin are available online for £15 with discounted options available for under 30s and under 18s.

Opera North’s work with young people enabling them to practice and perform together is generously supported by the Keith Howard Foundation, The Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation, Whitaker Charitable Trust, The D'Oyly Carte Charitable, and Leverhulme Trust for Arts Scholarships.