I have to confess I was deeply sceptical that Haruki Murakami’s 1985 magical realist novel would work on stage. The plot, after all, which splices together cyberpunk and fantasy, takes us through scenarios which include unicorns that turn gold in the autumn, a sinister Gatekeeper who amputates people’s shadows, and a hidden laboratory in the Tokyo Sewer System. 

The stars in this rating are all down to the musical quality of the performance and the abilities of the singers – a leading quartet all of whom are making their Opera North debuts, excellent supporting roles sung by members of the Chorus of Opera North, the chorus themselves, the orchestra and the conducting skills of music director Garry Walker.