Leeds Opera in the Park this weekend

Held on Saturday, July 27 at Temple Newsam Park, artists set to appear at the annual event include number one classical album-selling artist Laura Wright and operatic quartet Amore.

The event will be hosted by singer, author, television and Classic FM presenter Aled Jones who will also be performing on the night and making his second appearance at the event.

Aled said: “Opera in the Park is Classic FM’s biggest event of the year, and I’m delighted to be hosting it.

“I joined the Classic FM family in March this year to host Sunday mornings – and I’m really looking forward to sharing some fantastic music with our listeners in Leeds.”

Music on the evening will be once again provided by the Orchestra of Opera North and Leeds Festival Chorus.

This will be a first time at Opera in the Park for Classic Brit Award-nominee Laura Wright, whose debut album The Last Rose topped the charts in 2011, and is now one of the biggest selling classical artists of the decade.

Also featuring will be Amore, the operatic quartet of Royal College of Music graduates who were given the honour this year of performing the traditional pre-match hymn of Abide with me to an audience of millions before the 2013 FA Cup final.

A range of much loved pieces from the likes of Mozart, Verdi, Delibes and Bizet will be performed with a repertoire full of some of the greatest and most recognisable music from operas such as Don Giovanni, Rigoletto, La Traviata, Lakmé and Carmen. There will also be a selection of music performed from Gershwin’s popular musical Oh, Kay! At the finale, the crowd will also be treated to the traditional rendition of a Puccini classic, followed by a firework display.

Coun Lucinda Yeadon, Leeds City Council’s executive member for Leisure and Skills said: “Opera in the Park is always a fantastic event, and once again we have a line-up of performers that are sure to delight the crowd.

“The great thing about Opera in the Park is how it manages to be such a relaxing experience, while at the same time so thrilling. If you have yet to hear opera performed live, then Temple Newsam Park really is a great place in which to start.

“With just days to go before the concert, we would ask anybody who is interested in attending to book their tickets as soon as they can.”

Gates will open from 6pm with performances starting at 8pm and ending at approximately 10.15pm with the firework finale, although all timings are subject to change.

Tickets are available for Opera in the Park at £5 for Breezecard holders, £6.50 for LEEDSCard Extra holders, £8 for those with Leeds Active, Library Card and standard LEEDSCards and £10 for general admission.

Discounted tickets are also available for groups of friends/family members at £7 each for bookings of between five and 10 people. Children aged four and under will be able to attend free of charge, although a separate ticket will be needed.

Tickets are still available to purchase in person/by telephone from the city centre box office at The Carriageworks (0113 2243801) or from Leeds Visitor Centre at the train station (0113 2425242). Tickets are also available in person only from the Temple Newsam gift shop in the stable courtyard.

Event car parking is available at £5 per vehicle for the main car park located off Temple Newsam Road which is well sign-posted from Selby Road (A63). Car parking tickets can be purchased in advance from the city centre box office (collection only) or on entry to the car park on the night.

A special event shuttle bus service will also be provided for those wishing to travel by public transport by new official bus partner Geldards. The X26 service will run every 20 minutes from 4pm onwards from stand P3 on Park Row (outside Lloyds bank) on a return basis to and from the event bus terminus at Temple Newsam.

Tickets cost £2 single or £3.50 return with under fives free. A family ticket is also available for £10 for up to two adults and two children. Bus tickets can be purchased at the buses but are also available in advance from Leeds Visitor Centre at the train station.

A dedicated taxi/drop-off point will also be available at the event as sign-posted off Temple Newsam Road.

With the event approaching fast, anybody interested in attending the event is advised to book their tickets as soon as possible.