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 | Lancashire Times A Voice of the Free Press |
9:31 PM 3rd November 2022
arts
Opera Pops Up To Serenade Shoppers In Victoria Leeds
Soprano Natasha Agarwal, accompanist Philip Voldman and tenor Joseph Shovelton prepare for their performance in Leeds Victoria Quarter
Over lunchtime, the city’s historical arcades were alive with arias as passers-by enjoyed a whistle stop introduction to the world of opera and musical theatre performed by tenor Joseph Shovelton, soprano Natasha Agarwal and pianist Philip Voldman. Packed with well-known tunes, the 35-minute show included excerpts from Opera North’s critically-acclaimed production of Verdi’s La traviata which recently opened at Leeds Grand Theatre and is currently on tour across the north of England. Free to attend, the performance was as relaxed as possible, with no ticket required and people welcome to come and go as they chose.
The event was staged as part of Purple Tuesday, which was established to raise awareness of the specific needs of disabled shoppers and to improve their customer experience within the retail environment. It also marked the start of a raft of initiatives the two companies have planned following Victoria Leeds announcement that it will be continuing as Opera North’s Access Partner for the coming year.
Liz Draper, Director of Development for Opera North, said:
“Both Opera North and Victoria Leeds are committed to seeking innovative ways to help improve people’s wellbeing and to break down the barriers that may prevent individuals from fulfilling their potential. By taking the opera out of the theatre and into the community, we were looking to bring opera within everyone’s reach by creating an extraordinary experience for the lunchtime shoppers in the Victoria Quarter on Purple Tuesday.
“We are delighted that Victoria Leeds has agreed to be our Access Partner for the coming year, ensuring that we can continue to hold relaxed and dementia friendly performances in both the theatre and the Howard Assembly Room, as well as offering a raft of audio described and signed options and providing braille or audio versions of documents for customers or participants with access needs.”
“Both Opera North and Victoria Leeds are committed to seeking innovative ways to help improve people’s wellbeing and to break down the barriers that may prevent individuals from fulfilling their potential. By taking the opera out of the theatre and into the community, we were looking to bring opera within everyone’s reach by creating an extraordinary experience for the lunchtime shoppers in the Victoria Quarter on Purple Tuesday.
“We are delighted that Victoria Leeds has agreed to be our Access Partner for the coming year, ensuring that we can continue to hold relaxed and dementia friendly performances in both the theatre and the Howard Assembly Room, as well as offering a raft of audio described and signed options and providing braille or audio versions of documents for customers or participants with access needs.”
Victoria Leeds works hard to ensure people with additional accessibility needs can shop comfortably and with confidence. By taking part in Purple Tuesday, they were looking to add an extra dimension to the shopping experience of everyone in the city that day.
Jo Coburn, Senior General Manager at Victoria Leeds, said:
“We are really passionate about making a positive impact in the community and this includes creating experiences which can be enjoyed by everyone. Purple Tuesday is an initiative we wholeheartedly support, and we were delighted to host this special performance from Opera North amid the backdrop of Victoria Gate’s historical arcades.”
“We are really passionate about making a positive impact in the community and this includes creating experiences which can be enjoyed by everyone. Purple Tuesday is an initiative we wholeheartedly support, and we were delighted to host this special performance from Opera North amid the backdrop of Victoria Gate’s historical arcades.”
Future plans include the reopening of the As You Like soundwalk in Spring 2023 which will start at Victoria Leeds and take participants on a musical adventure across the city, and a performance on Wednesday 21 December in Victoria Gate by the young participants in Opera North’s Winter Orchestra Academy.