Five reasons to give opera a go ahead of Opera North's new season!

Looking to try something different? Perfect for escapism or a great night out with friends, opera is a definite must for every bucket list – especially with Opera North bringing La bohème, Susanna, and The Big Opera Mystery, a family show for kids, to Newcastle Theatre Royal in November.

We know opera’s awesome, but if you still need convincing, here’s our top five reasons why we believe it’s for everyone…

1. It’s Drama with a capital ‘D’

If you love music, theatre, drama, storytelling, art or even fashion, you’re in the right place! Opera brings all these art-forms together on one stage with amazing costumes, iconic tunes which you’ll recognise from films and adverts, dramatic storylines to take you on an emotional rollercoaster, and captivating characters you’ll be rooting for – or against – from their very first note.

2. A feast for the eyes

You’re in for a visual treat with the variety of costumes you’ll spot during a single performance.

The Costume department at Opera North is tasked with bringing the Costume Designer’s vision to life, while also ensuring that everything looks great on the wearer and will survive the rigours of a hectic performance schedule, including tour dates! Once the singers are in costume, the make-up team get to work before the action is played out on a specially designed and imaginatively lit set. Wherever you look, there’s always something to catch the eye.

3. The sound is something else

One of the most astonishing things about opera is the staggering power of the singers’ voices. Even more unbelievable is the fact they produce the volume they do without the help of a single microphone! Even when the auditorium is full and you’re sitting right at the back, we guarantee you’ll get the shivers as a soprano hits the high notes – and just wait until you hear the massed voices of the Chorus of Opera North!

It’s not just about the singing though. You also get to enjoy the sound of the Orchestra of Opera North playing live in the pit which is an incredible experience in itself. If you fall in love with their playing, the good news is that they deliver a world-class programme of concerts away from the opera stage each year.

4. It’s easy to follow

Whether you’re watching an opera in Newcastle or at any of the other Opera North tour venues, the performance will have English subtitles displayed on digital screens on either side of the stage. These ensure that, even if the singers are performing in a different language, you’ll always know what’s going on. Even better, we show enough of what’s being sung to keep you abreast of the action, but not so much that you have to stay glued to the screen and miss what’s happening on stage.

To ensure as many people as possible can enjoy the opera, we also offer accessible options. These include audio-described performances with backstage touch tours beforehand. Audio introductions are created for every production with large print also available.

5. It’s cheaper than you think

A night at the opera is far more affordable than you might imagine.

If you’re under 30, you can bag yourself a ticket for £10 – and tickets for everyone else start at just £18 depending on performance and where you’d like to sit. Early booking definitely pays off though, as the cheaper options tend to get snapped up within days of going on sale!

Browse our upcoming operas

Take a look through our upcoming opera performances coming to the stage this Autumn and in Spring 2026. You might find a world-famous title, a brand new production, a rarely-performed gem or something for the family!

La bohème (Wed 5, Thu 6 and Sat 8 Nov 2025).

Susanna (Fri 7 Nov 2025).

The Big Opera Mystery (Sat 8 Nov 2025).

The Marriage of Figaro (Thu 19 & Sat 21 Mar 2026).

Peter Grimes (Fri 20 Mar 2026).

To book or to see what’s on at Newcastle Theatre Royal, visit: theatreroyal.co.uk/whats-on/