OPERA North has announced Switch ON, a programme of new outdoor events and digital projects to take place through the autumn.

The season embodies the opera company’s commitment to make music with and for audiences in communities across the North of England, despite the limits of coronavirus.

The activities will respect the latest government guidelines on social distancing and live performances, including limitations on performing indoors.

The new Switch ON projects include As You Are, a new soundwalk for Leeds by South African cellist and composer Abel Selaocoe, which will open in November; a digital premiere for Will Todd’s new community opera, Song of Our Heartland; and a new animation re-interpreting La bohème to be shown in cities across the North in the run up to Christmas.

Richard Mantle, general director of Opera North, said: “We are extremely pleased to be able to announce such varied projects today as the first newly planned activity for this Autumn.

“Switch ON is our first step back to sharing music and performance with audiences in villages, towns and cities across the North of England.

“We have not been silent during lockdown, with thousands of people from around the world engaging with films of our work online from the Ring cycle to The Turn of the Screw, and over 1,000 amateur singers taking part in weekly lessons alongside the Chorus of Opera North in From Couch to Chorus, but we are delighted now to be announcing this first selection of new work.”

Visit operanorth.co.uk for information about all performances in West Yorkshire.