Philip Pullman novel to become children's opera

Novelist Philip Pullman's The Firework-Maker's Daughter is to be turned into a full-scale opera for children by Opera North and The Opera Group. The production will have its world premiere in Hull Truck Theatre in March 2013 before touring the country.

The opera has been adapted from Pullman's novel by librettist Glyn Maxwell, with the score written by award-winning composer David Bruce. It features a cast of five singers and two puppeteers, including soprano Mary Bevan, counter-tenor James Laing and bass-baritone Andrew Slater.

Direction for the family-friendly opera will come from John Fulljames, Associate Director of Opera at the Royal Opera House. The production will also have two-week residency at New York's New Victory Theatre.

Rebecca Walsh, Education Director for Opera North, commented: "This promises to be an explosive introduction to opera for families. As we are Opera North, it is an especially exciting first for us that the opera will receive its world premiere in Hull, rather than our home city of Leeds."