Opera North will partner with Shadwell Opera for the world premiere of Isabella Gellis’ “The Devil’s Den.”

The opera will take the stage on Nov. 15, 2025, at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the Howard Assembly Room in Leeds and marks Opera North’s first in a new series of collaborations with innovative UK companies. The cast includes Jennifer France, Lotte Betts-Dean, Nicholas Morris, and Ossian Huskinson. Finnegan Downie Dear conducts, and Jack Furness directs.

“The Devil’s Den” is inspired by a painting by British artist Ben Edge and tells the story of a child, a rabbit, a druid, and a devil in a mysterious English village. It is the first opera to feature a live Morris Dancing Side as part of its dramatic structure, performed by Sheffield City Morris.
Audiences are invited to make a day of it: alongside the two performances, the Howard Assembly Room will host folk singing and Morris dancing workshops, and talks with artists and musicians, creating a fully immersive folk-meets-opera day out.

Read Related Stories

• Hera Hyesang Park, Gabriella Reyes, Isabela Díaz & John Findon Lead Opera North’s 2025-26 Season

• Opera North Appoints New Howard Assembly Room General Manager & Programmer