Opera North Limited

The principal activities of the charity are to encourage the understanding and appreciation of the lyric art by providing, presenting, organising and conducting opera performances, symphony concerts and educational events primarily in the North of England.

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Activities & Mission

Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Region

England

Financial Information

Latest Income

£18,822,860

Latest Expenditure

£19,528,034

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 97.7%

% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 82% of UK Arts charities with income over £10M (sample: 125). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 94.2%

% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 54% of UK Arts charities with income over £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 3.1%

Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 57% of UK Arts charities with income over £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £12,517,393

Charitable Activities £2,752,115

Other Trading £460,313

Investments £52,553

Other Income £3,040,486

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £18,395,184

Raising Funds £458,550

Governance £139,634

Grants to Institutions £0

Other Expenditure £674,300

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.

Financial Year	Income	Expenditure	Charitable Spending	Net Assets	Reserves	Staff
2025	£18,822,860	£19,528,034	£18,395,184	£27,478,728	£2,264,645	249 / 0
2024	£18,332,372	£20,043,918	£18,965,831	£28,183,902	£2,407,517	261 / 0
2023	£18,349,010	£19,830,302	£18,734,689	£29,895,448	£3,362,530	246 / 0
2022	£16,967,326	£16,480,165	£16,061,709	£31,376,740	£2,928,789	230 / 11
2021	£17,879,483	£11,437,900	£11,088,754	£30,889,579	£3,624,683	231 / 0

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about Opera North Limited

What does Opera North Limited do?

How much income did Opera North Limited report in 2025?

Opera North Limited reported total income of £18.82m and reported expenditure of £19.53m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is Opera North Limited?

Opera North Limited has a program ratio of 97.7%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 82% of UK Arts charities with income over £10M (sample of 125 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was Opera North Limited registered as a charity?

Opera North Limited was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 31 July 1981 as charity number 511726. It has been registered for 45 years.

Who runs Opera North Limited?

Opera North Limited is governed by a board of 13 trustees. The chair of trustees is PAUL ANTHONY LEE. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does Opera North Limited operate?

Opera North Limited operates in England, as recorded in its Charity Commission filing.

Is Opera North Limited a registered charity?

Yes — Opera North Limited is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 511726.