A NEW chamber opera, set against the backdrop of a gay nightclub, is to have its world premiere in Leeds.

Pleasure, which tells the story of a family tragedy, is part of a series of operas commissioned to bring new work to audiences across the UK.

The work, created by young composer Mark Simpson and writer Melanie Challenger, will premiere at Opera North in Leeds in 2016.

It has been commissioned and produced as part of a three-year partnership between Aldeburgh Music, The Royal Opera and Opera North, designed to boost opportunities for emerging opera writers.

It tells the story of Val, who works as an attendant in the toilets in Pleasure, a hedonistic gay club in the north of England, presided over by the Bacchanalian drag queen Anna Fewmore.

For years, Val (Lesley Garrett) has been a shoulder to cry on and a confidante. She is much-loved, but why is she still there? Why does she never leave?

When Nathan, a beautiful and unpredictable young man, arrives and leaves a gift for Val, it marks the beginning of an emotional and violent night.

Tim Albery directs, with set and costume designs by Leslie Travers.
Pleasure will be performed by a cast of four singers including soprano Lesley Garrett as Val, alongside the Manchester-based music ensemble Psappha, conducted by Nicholas Kok.
Heralded as one of the UK’s most exciting young musical talents, Mark Simpson was born in Liverpool in 1988. He won BBC Young Musician of the Year as a clarinettist in 2006 and also, that same year, received the accolade of BBC Young Composer of the year.
The world premiere will be at the Howard Assembly Room at Opera North, Leeds, in April 2016, before the Liverpool Playhouse, Aldeburgh Music, Snape Maltings, and the Lyric Hammersmith in London.