Opera North Returns To Millennium Square This Summer

The Orchestra of Opera North has announced its return to Millennium Square this summer for two more all-star open-air concerts featuring original chart-topping artists from the last four decades, as part of Leeds City Council’s Summer Series.

80s Classical brings a roster of pop legends together with the symphonic might of Opera North’s 50-strong Orchestra on Friday 28 July. On Saturday 29 July, dance music from the 90s to the present gets a radical revamp with Club Classical Anthems, as international artists take their hits up a gear with the expanded power and colour of Opera North’s musicians behind them.

The creative team for the shows, composer, arranger and conductor Cliff Masterson and Musical Director Steve Anderson, count credits including Kylie Minogue, Josh Groban, Steps, Westlife, Emeli Sandé and Britney Spears between them.

After debuting in Leeds in 2019, 80s Classical played to a packed London Coliseum, but Cliff and Steve have not forgotten their roots, returning to Millennium Square to unveil each of their subsequent line-ups with the Orchestra of Opera North.

Past headliners have included Jimmy Somerville, Howard Jones, Nik Kershaw, Kim Wilde and Belinda Carlisle, and the 2023 line-up is set to be announced over the course of this week.

“We’re thrilled to be coming back to our second home in Millennium Square, and we’re excited to reveal some stellar debuts, as well as the return of some familiar faces, for this fourth instalment of 80s Classical”, says Cliff.

The pair also brought Club Classical Anthems to the stage for the first time in Millennium Square in 2022, with local superstar John Newman and dance legends Ultra Naté and Black Box topping the inaugural bill. This year’s guest artists will also be announced day by day this week on Opera North and Leeds City Council’s social media, ahead of tickets for both events going on general sale this Friday.

“The chance to experience original artists performing scaled-up versions of their hits, backed by the scale, power and skill of the Orchestra of Opera North, really puts these two shows in a class of their own”, adds Steve.

“It’s a joy for Cliff and me to work with these artists whose music has meant so much to us over the years – and to share that with our brilliant audiences. The nostalgic aspect of it is incredibly powerful and emotional, no doubt, but what both these shows are really about is great songs that have stood the test of time, given new life by these superb musicians”.

Tickets for the concerts will be available from Friday 24 February via millsqleeds.com (0113 376 0318) and operanorth.co.uk (0113 223 3600)

Standing tickets for 80s Classical (Friday 28 July), are priced at £35.00, with a limited amount of reserved seating available at £44.00. Standing tickets for Club Classical Anthems (Saturday 29 July) are £29.50, or £38.50 for reserved seating. A VIP/express bar upgrade is available at both events for an additional £11.00.

For artist announcements this week, see Opera North, Millennium Square and 80s Classical social media.