THIS two-hour piece contains none of Mozart’s later anthems, but it’s an unmistakable, up-tempo score by the maestro when he was but a bairn.

Written in 1782, when he was 26, this is as populist an opera as you’ll get. With only eight main characters and a simple plot, there is even a narrator to make sure none of the story is misunderstood.

Opera North take this Eastern tale and gives it a modern twist, setting it in a Middle East oil state.

Whether the more surreal aspects of Tim Hopkins’ confusing direction succeed is up for question; videos and a panda add to the confusion, while Arabian knights costumes are later jettisoned for superhero uniforms.

The comic opera twist is pleasant, but the laughter generally falls flat as outlined by a farcical chase that was so plodding the comedy pay-off simply wasn’t worth the wait.

However, it would be remiss to criticise Hopkins for attempting something different.

As it should be, the music is the real star and the lead characters do Mozart proud.

Constanze (Kate Valentine) is held captive by Pasha Selim (Martin Hyder) and her lover Belmonte (Allan Clayton) pursues her to Pasha’s castle.

While taking on issues of culture and modern perceptions of Islam, the opera’s emotional core is Constanze’s struggle to reconcile her growing affection for Pasha with her faithfulness to Belmonte.

On this level it is a success.

■ Until tonight. Box Office: 08448-112-121 Ed Waugh