Concertmaster David Greed to Step Down from Opera North after 44 years

Since its inception in 1978, the orchestra at the UK's Opera North has had just one concertmaster. However,  David Greed has recently decided to take his retirement from the orchestra that he has helped turn into a world-class ensemble.

Before he stands down from his 44-year long tenure, he will perform in the company's presentation of Wagner's Parsifal.

In addition, Greed will make his final concerto appearance performing Shostakovich's First Violin Concerto with the orchestra on February 27 at the Huddersfield Town Hall.

On March 16, he will give a farewell concert at the Dewsbury Town Hall, where he will perform the fourth movement of Franck's violin sonata alongside pianist Keith Swallow. A range of other friends and colleagues will join them for the performance, which also includes the Brahms Piano Quartet, plus songs and arias by Mozart and Strauss.

The concert's location is significant: Greed has been associated with the regular Dewsbury Lunchtime Concerts for almost as long as he has served in the orchestra, and has seen the series grow into an established local favorite.

"My history with Dewsbury is almost as long as my time at Opera North,” Greed says of the concert series. “It’s another thing that I’m really going to miss."