On June 17, 2022, Byre Opera will present a performance of Debussy’s “Pelléas et Mélisande” at the University of St. Andrews.

The production, directed by Kally Lloyd-Jones and conducted by Michael Downes, will feature a new, English translation by renowned Scottish writer Janice Galloway, as well as a reduced, 12-player orchestration by Matthew Rooke.

The cast will be comprised of university students, joined by guest artist James Berry in the role of Golaud. The orchestra will be led by Lucy Russell, first violinist of the Fitzwilliam Quartet and one of the UK’s most prominent ensemble leaders.

St. Andrews has recently completed the construction of their Laidlaw Music Centre, a 14m Pound facility which will serve the university and the wider community. The centre’s showpiece is the McPherson Recital Room, with acoustical design by Nicholas Edwards. The McPherson Recital Room is said to be the smallest space in the world with a reverberation chamber in the ceiling and also features a flexible, modular floor