Opera North Wagner’s Parsifal - Audio Description at Every Performance This June

Leeds based Opera company Opera North have been providing access for blind and partially sighted people through audio described performances of their productions for a number of years now and for the up-coming concert staged production of Richard Wagner’s Parsifal there will be audio description available for every performance at Leeds Grand Theatre this June. 

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Alice Gilmour, Access Manager at Opera North and Audio Describer to find out more about the concert staging of Wagner’s Parsifal with audio description from Wednesday 1 June to Friday 10 June 2022 at Leeds Grand Theatre.

Alice began by giving Toby a bit of background to Opera North and their access offer  for blind and partially sighted people as well as a synopsis of Wagner’s Parsifal which features Knights, the Holy Grail and the character of Parsifal himself too.

Alice then explained to Toby the difference between a full theatre staged opera and a concert staged production, along with how it is possible for Opera North to provide audio description at every performance of Wagner’s Parsifal and other concert staged productions.

Alice ended by highlighting a number of highlights from Opera North’s 2022/2023 season with some real gems that are not to be missed.  

Opera North’s production of Wagner’s Parsifal will be at Leeds Grand Theatre from Wednesday 1 June to Friday 10 Jun with performances at 4pm, then touring with audio description to;  Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, on Sunday 12 June, Nottingham Royal Concert Hall on Wednesday 15 June, Sage Gateshead on Saturday 18 June, and Royal Festival Hall, London on Sunday 26 June, again all performances starting at 4pm.

To find out more about Opera North and their access offer including audio described performances do visit the access pages of their website - 

(Image shows RNIB logo. 'RNIB' written in black capital letters over a white background and underlined with a bold pink line, with the words 'See differently' underneath)