On 7 October after eighteen months of intense building activity, the curtain in the refurbished Yorkshire Bank Auditorium rose on Opera North’s new production of Verdi’s Rigoletto. Phase 1 of Transformation, the £30m project to restore Leeds Grand Theatre and give Opera North its first permanent home, was completed on time and on budget, delivering exciting benefits for both audiences and performers.

A new air-cooling system has been installed; the Orchestra pit (above left) has been reconfigured to improve acoustics; new lifts have improved access; there is a new oak floor in the stalls; and new and refurbished seats provide much greater comfort.

Backstage has been fully modernized, with unique 21st Century technical facilities. Improvements include a new flying system (above right), which has been raised by 6m and is now controlled by computers; and access has been improved for scenery and stage equipment with the only hydraulic lorry lift in the United Kingdom. Opera North also has its first permanent home since the company was founded twenty eight years ago, including two purpose built rehearsal rooms, the Harewood and Linacre Studios.