Leeds Millennium Square to host Raiders of the Lost Ark in concert, 80s icons, and club classics reboot

Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert will close this year’s Opera North in the City festival, the company’s collaboration with Leeds City Council and a cornerstone of the Millennium Square Summer Series now in its fourth year.

The screening of Raiders of the Lost Ark accompanied by John Williams’ immense score is being performed live on Sunday, July 26.

Like the film itself, the soundtrack of Raiders of the Lost Ark pays tribute to the swashbuckling thrillers of the 1930s and 40s, with its heroic theme, lacerating stabs of brass and strings and

moments of sweeping romance.

Ben Palmer, a specialist in conducting live to film, will return to the Millennium Square podium following last year’s concert screening of another Spielberg/Williams classic, Jurassic Park.

The night before, a brand new event, Club Classical Anthems, will fuse the scale and colour of the symphony orchestra with the rhythms of dance music.

The weekend begins on Friday, July 24, with the return of 80s Classical, featuring Jimmy Somerville, Belinda Carlisle, Go West, T’Pau’s Carol Decker, and John Parr backed by the

Orchestra for symphonic reworkings of their greatest hits.

This year’s concert boasts the first ever live orchestral performances by American superstar Belinda, whose hits including Heaven is a Place on Earth and Leave a Light On are set for the symphonic makeover.

Belinda said: “I'm absolutely thrilled to be able to perform some of my best loved songs in front of a 60-piece symphony orchestra and to be involved in such a fresh and exciting event. I always get a great reaction from my fans in the UK and I know this is going to be a really special occasion”.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “Millennium Square is a truly wonderful venue for enjoying a range of exciting and diverse events. I am delighted to say that this year’s line-up is one of the best yet, and we can’t wait to see people of all ages be entertained in the open air and experience the fantastic and unique atmosphere of

Millennium Square.”

Phil Boughton, director of Orchestra and Chorus, Opera North, added: “Opera North in the City marks the end of the Orchestra’s performing year, and it’s hard for us to imagine a better ending than playing to more than 9,000 people over the course of a weekend.

“We’re thrilled to be returning to Millennium Square for the fourth year running. The festival showcases not only the flexibility of the Orchestra, but also how music in all its genres can bring

together people from all walks of life. If you’ve been before you’ll want to come back, and if you haven’t, don’t miss out again!”

All three events are on sale now. Tickets for 80s Classical on Friday, July 24, are priced at £33 (standing) or £39.50 for reserved seating. Tickets for Club Classical Anthems on Saturday, July 25, are £29.50 (general admission) or £27.50 per ticket for groups of 5 or more.

Raiders of the Lost Ark on Sunday, July 25, is priced from £21.50 to £28.50 (£11.00 - £15.00 for children under 12).

VIP upgrades are available for all three events.

For more details and to book, visit millsqleeds.com or operanorth.co.uk, or call the box offices on 0113 376 0318 or 0113 2233600.