Opera North’s ‘As You Are’ is back for 2023

As You Are, a soundwalk for Leeds written for Opera North by South African-born composer and cellist Abel Selaocoe will open on Thursday 30 March as part of LEEDS 2023 Year of Culture. 

Composed and recorded as the country emerged from lockdown, As You Are invites audiences to experience Leeds in new and transformative ways, with an emphasis on the meditative and healing power of walking. Its first scheduled run was foiled by the return of Covid restrictions, but it can finally be experienced as part of LEEDS 2023 Year of Culture.

Audiences will collect their audio sets from the Victoria Gate shopping centre, then a series of transmitters on the route of the 30-minute walk will trigger each chapter of the composition, which takes its inspiration from the architecture seen along the route, and from Abel’s African heritage. 

The Orchestra and Chorus of Opera North are joined at various points by Zimbabwean mbira player Anna Mudeka, Moroccan guimbri player Simo Lagnawi, djembe virtuoso Sidiki Dembélé from the Ivory Coast, and Abel himself on cello and vocals. Tickets are ‘pay as you feel’.

For tickets click HERE