Review: Orchestra of Opera North ****

When Leeds has created one of Europe's finest orchestras, it is strange to find the Town Hall with empty seats, particularly when we heard a quite remarkable account of Mahler's First Symphony.

It was in the hands of the Finnish-born, Hannu Lintu, one of today's most exciting younger generation conductors. By ensuring the opening movement did not overheat, as it is prone to do, and by concentrating on the lyrical aspects of the central movements, he kept the seismic outbursts until the finale.

It was built on enormous climatic moments, the brass department so secure as they thundered out the closing moments. Yet it was the bass drum player who deserves special thanks for that almighty roll he produced at the conclusion. Maybe we expected Amanda Roocroft to have brought more vocal opulence to Die heiligen drei Konige aus Morgenland, the opening of five Richard Strauss songs, but her voice warmed to a gorgeous closing Morgan and Cacilie.