Venue marks its first full year with a celebration of voice

Starting from tomorrow, the HAR will present 20 stand- alone performances, a month-long sound installation and a project called Voices exploring the power of the human voice.

An eclectic mix of new and familiar international artists are behind the ambitious winter 2010 programme which marks the first full year of public performances in Leeds's spectacular new venue. Audiences will be taken on a memorable journey, from Gilbert and Sullivan's Victorian England through to an exploration of the impact of the miners' strike in 1985.

Acclaimed writer and director, Mike Leigh, introduces his Oscar-winning film, Topsy-Turvy, with a question and answer session afterwards (January 22).

Inspired by Opera North's new production of Gilbert & Sullivan's Ruddigore, the weekend also features The Lost Chord, a delectable evening of strange tales, Victorian obsession and poignant parlour songs by Tim Hopkins (January 23).

John Lill, one of Britain's most revered pianists, marks the Chopin bi-centenary with an exclusive Chopin concert programme (March 24). The programme also features the premiere of Songs at the Year's End, a new song-cycle for brass band, choir and soloists, by poet, Ian McMillan and composer, Hugh Nankivell (March 27).

The season ends with Voices, a series of concerts and events. It is led by Janet Cardiff's reworking of Thomas Tallis' 16th century choral masterpiece, Spem in Alium (4 February-3 March), in the UK for the first time in five years. The series also looks at early Renaissance sacred vocal music, as well as folk, world and jazz.

A series of workshops, free Twilight concerts and special family performances are part of a full season.

Call 0844 848 2727 or visit www.howardassemblyroom.co.uk