Opera North's English language influencer (6)

I believe the answer is:

norman

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'english language influencer' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'opera north's' is the wordplay.
'opera' becomes 'norma' (I've seen this in another clue).
'north' becomes 'N' (abbreviation).
'norma'+'n'='NORMAN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for norman that I've seen before include "Romanesque architectural style" , "Australian golfer" , "Ten sixty six invader" , "Old invader" , "British comedian, once a cult figure in Albania, d. 2010" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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