Mixing classical with contemporary, Opera North brings the most exciting musicians, performers, writers and film to the Howard Assembly Room.

The venue is one of Leeds’ most impressive and distinctive Victorian buildings. The events programme at the Howard Assembly Room is managed by Opera North.

The Howard Assembly Room at Opera North forms part of the Opera North Centre in association with the University of Leeds. The Opera North Centre incorporates performance space, rehearsal rooms, and the administration offices for Opera North.
 
Designed by architects George Corson and James Watson, The Assembly Rooms opened in 1879. The venue was created to provide ‘respectable’ entertainment, using the name ‘Assembly Rooms’ to set it apart from popular pub-based music halls. The building was later converted into a cinema following extensive fire damage. The Assembly Rooms have now been fully restored to their original Victorian splendour, with a barrel vaulted ceiling, arched windows and gothic motif decoration.

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