Revamped opera company HQ to be ‘world class’ facility

Leeds-based national opera company Opera North has said its redeveloped headquarters will bear the name of leading philanthropist, Dr Keith Howard.

The Howard Opera Centre will take on the new name in recognition of a significant personal gift from Dr Howard of £11.25m towards Opera North’s current redevelopment project, Music Works. It is thought to be among the largest private donations ever made to a UK arts company outside of London.

Dr Howard, a lifelong opera lover and cricket fan, is the founder of Emerald Group Publishing, and president of Opera North.

The Howard Opera Centre will contain Opera North’s rehearsal studios, costume and wigs workshop, and administrative offices.

Situated on New Briggate and Harrison Street, the redevelopment work will create a world-class facility to make opera; a new Education Studio and additional rehearsal spaces, including a rehearsal room for the Orchestra and Chorus of Opera North and a suite of music coaching rooms.

The Howard Opera Centre will join another space named ten years earlier in recognition of Keith Howard’s support for the company, the Howard Assembly Room, an eclectic 300-seat performance venue offering a diverse calendar of jazz, world music, folk, classical concerts, children’s opera, talks, film and installations.

Originally opened in 2009 following extensive restoration, the Howard Assembly Room is currently closed during the Music Works redevelopment project, and will reopen in 2021 with a new dedicated and fully accessible entrance and atrium, an increased number of performances, and a restaurant and bar replacing a row of previously vacant shop units on New Briggate.

The redevelopment, which began on site during summer 2019, is being delivered by Henry Boot Construction, a regional construction contractor based in Sheffield.

The overall target for the Music Works fundraising campaign is £18m. Opera North has raised £15.6m to date, including the significant philanthropic gift from Dr Howard.

Leeds City Council has contributed £750,000, together with the lease of the vacant shops on New Briggate, and funding of £499,999 has been awarded by Arts Council England.

The balance of the funds raised to date has come from private donors, trusts and supporters, including a £1m donation from The Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation, as well as a significant contribution from Maureen Pettman and major gifts from a number of private individuals.

In addition, gifts have been pledged by The Wolfson Foundation, Backstage Trust, The Kirby Laing Foundation, The Foyle Foundation and The Garfield Weston Foundation.

Although 87% of the target has been raised, there remains a funding gap of £2.4m to close, and the company is now looking to patrons, friends and audiences to play their part in the success of the redevelopment. Work also continues to attract funding from further charitable trusts and foundations and the business community in Leeds.

Richard Mantle, general director, Opera North, said: “Opera North is delighted to be able to recognise the extraordinary generosity of our longstanding supporter and friend, Dr Keith Howard, whose contribution to this project means we are able to create a new artistic home for the company, as well as improving the infrastructure, access and visitor experience for the Howard Assembly Room.

“The Howard Opera Centre will be a true centre of excellence, bringing together rehearsal spaces for world class opera productions with coaching rooms where singers can develop their vocal expertise, and specialist costume workshop spaces.”

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “We are pleased to see this significant redevelopment now taking shape, creating a vastly improved artistic and educational hub for one of Leeds’ leading cultural assets.

“Opera North makes a huge contribution to the city, both in terms of the vitality and diversity of work seen on stage, and also through its work with children, young people and communities throughout our region.

“Through the revitalisation of a neglected section of New Briggate, the improved facilities for the Howard Assembly Room will work in tandem with our wider aspirations for the area as part of the Heritage Action Zones and Connecting Leeds programmes, creating a vibrant destination and supporting our plans for a better connected city.”

Opera North permanently employs over 250 people including highly skilled costume-makers, stage managers, electricians, stage technicians, props-makers, sound and lighting technicians, educators, designers, and musicians, in addition to working with around 370 freelance performers, creatives and artists each year.

Its opera productions are created and premiered in Leeds, and the company performs at Leeds Grand Theatre each season before touring its opera productions to theatres across the country.

The Music Works redevelopment is scheduled to be completed in phases, with the Howard Opera Centre opening in late 2020, and the Howard Assembly Room, restaurant and atrium scheduled for completion in 2021.