Classical Preview: Students in spotlight for a traditional Figaro

“We select operas that will give all of our classical singing students a chance to appear on stage,” says Jane Anthony, senior lecturer at the Leeds College of Music, and the director of a new production of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. “This year is particularly exciting as we will be taking opera for the first time into the new Studio Theatre of the Northern Ballet.

“For the leading roles we mainly use full-time third year students who have arrived at Leeds from all parts of the country, though this year we are pleased to welcome a return to the college of Phil Wilcox, a former student who will sing the major role of Count Almaviva.

“This will be our eighth year of presenting opera and we have performed some unusual works, though this year we have Mozart’s well-known comedy of the flirtatious Count and his hopefully amorous adventures with Susanna.”

After some bizarre productions seen elsewhere in Leeds during recent times, Anthony wants to assure that the composer would recognise this fully staged and costumed production which would be described as traditional. “It is important at this point in their career to get used to the mechanics of appearing on stage, though the speed with which today’s young people learn is quite remarkable.”

Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, Northern Ballet Studio Theatre, March 16, 17, 19, 7pm. 0113 220 8008.