Rare Chance To Bag A Bargain At Opera North’s Costume Sale

Anyone who has ever fancied dressing like an opera diva or adding some drama to their wardrobe will want to head to Opera North in the heart of Leeds next month for the first sale of costumes from the company’s archives since 2005.

Running from Saturday 25 to Sunday 26 May, the free event offers a rare opportunity to browse a treasure trove of period costumes and vintage clothing from Opera North’s productions over the last three decades.

From kimonos, wedding dresses and evening gowns to frock coats, uniforms and even a panda costume, would-be purchasers can look through costumes from over 40 of the company’s much-loved opera stagings, including Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro, Verdi’s Don Carlos, Britten’s Gloriana and Janáček’s Jenůfa and Katya Kabanova. Many items bear witness to the skill and craftsmanship of the company’s own Costume team, while others have been created by external costume-makers or sourced from elsewhere for a particular opera.
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Stephen Rodwell, Head of Costume and Wigs at Opera North comments:

“Following our Green Season in the autumn, we were keen to hold a Costume Sale as part of our commitment to sustainability, encouraging the reuse and repurposing of clothing by giving it a new lease of life, as well as sharing it with the wider community.

“There will be over 90 rails for people to browse over the Bank Holiday weekend, so whether those who come along are interested in period clothing, vintage styling or staging their own theatrical productions, there’ll be plenty to tempt them. For some people, the costumes will bring back memories of a performance they attended; for others, it will simply be a chance to invest in a piece of opera history. Whatever the reason, we encourage everyone to come along and see what gems they can discover.”


The sale is being held from 10.30am-4.30pm on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May in the company’s Linacre rehearsal studio, which can be accessed via Harrison Street. Items will be replenished daily, with prices starting from as little as £1. All funds raised through the Costume Sale will help Opera North, a registered charity, continue its work inspiring each generation and enhancing people’s wellbeing through music.