OPERA North has, for 25 years, been the national opera company for the North of England, informing, challenging and educating young and old alike, and introducing opera to people who think it's for toffs. This programme consists of eight mini-operas - two each evening, each one lasting about an hour, so not too much culture at one go.

Pagliacci is one that most people know, if only for the heartbreaking 'tears of a clown' aria that's part of most tenors' repertoire. In this production, however, that highlight was somewhat overshadowed by the concept of Pagliacci being the leader of some sort of music group, Canio and the Clowns. The renowned Opera North chorus played the audience to the hilt, swaying back and forth with their arms in the air, waving lighters about, offering adulation that was convincing and distracting. I confess I was confused.

The second offering was Djamileh, a one-act opera by Bizet about a slave who falls in love with her cold-hearted master. As in the first piece, the singing and acting were first-class, but the characters in Djamileh seemed more accessible emotionally. Paul Nilon as the heartless Haroun stamped about in a grubby dressing gown - heaven knows what the lovely Patricia Bardon as the slave girl saw in him. An entertaining deadpan comic performance from Keith Mills as the slave trader lightened the proceedings. Opera North's orchestra, led by David Greed, was superb and singing from principals and chorus was faultless.

* Runs until Saturday. Booking Office: 0870 9055060

Published: 03/06/2004