Isabel Rodger, the wife of the late Ian Rodger, who was one of the founders of Scottish Opera, died on Feb. 4, 2023. As an early supporter of the Scottish Opera, Rodger was heavily involved and contributed to the growth of the company. She saw nearly every performance at the Theatre Royal, with her last being ‘Ainadamar’ by Golijov in {…}
The Scottish Opera has announced its 2022-23 season featuring new productions, pop operas, and opera in concert. Opera The season opens with Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” starring Roland Wood, Jonathan McGovern, Zachary Altman, Hye-Youn Lee, Keel Watson, Pablo Bemsch, Shengzhi Ren, Kitty Whately, Lea Shaw, and Emyr Wyn Jones. Stuart Stratford conducts the production by Sir Thomas Allen. Performance Dates: May 28-June {…}
Scottish Opera turns 60 next year, and this year marks the 50th anniversary of its Outreach and Education program, arguably the longest-standing formal company outreach of its kind in the opera world. The department’s activities range from Paisley’s 2018 “Pagliacci”—performed in a tent with a community choir, and for which designer Tim Meacock won the Best Designer Award at the {…}
(Credit: James Glossop) The Scottish Opera has withdrawn its nomination for a Sky Arts Award for its production of “Nixon in China.” According to The Times, the company was criticized for its use of “yellowface” makeup as well as casting choices. Sarah Owen, the Labour MP for Luton North, took to social media criticizing the company and wondering why the {…}
(Photo Credit: Scottish Opera official website) The Scottish Opera has announced new projects to connect with communities across Scotland in the 50th anniversary year of its Outreach and Education program. The opera house will offer a package of projects for Primary one to seven simultaneously, giving schools the opportunity to engage all pupils in a Scottish Opera primary schools project {…}
The Scottish Opera has announced the premiere of two new films, along with plans for over 200 outdoor performances this summer. The performances will be given in alignment with the Scottish Government timeline for easing restrictions. Among the performances, this summer will be an outdoor production of “Falstaff,” designed and directed by Sir David McVicar, as well as a Pop-up {…}
(Credit: Opera Australia official website) Celebrated Australian opera director Elijah Moshinsky has died at the age of 75. Moshinsky graduated from the University of Melbourne and made his operatic debut in 1975 at the Royal Opera House with a production of Britten’s opera “Peter Grimes.” The famed director went on to stage a number of highly successful productions at the {…}
(Credits: Shirley Suarez / English National Ballet official website) The Scottish Opera has announced a September program of seated outdoor performances, following the Scottish Government’s decision from August 20. The Scottish Opera will bring live performances back to the stage with physical distancing observed at all times by the performers, backstage staff, and the audience. “We are delighted we can {…}
The Scottish Opera has announced its mainstage plans for autumn have been canceled. In a press release, the company said, “it has become clear to us at Scottish Opera that, because of the continuing uncertainty around convening large gatherings due to Covid-19, it will simply not be possible for us to present our large-scale Autumn 2020 production. This was planned {…}
The Scottish Opera has announced the world premiere of a new short film, “The Narcissistic Fish,” the company’s first-ever purely digital opera. The company announced via social media that the work is a collaboration between Scottish Opera Composer-in-Residence Samuel Bordoli, Scottish poet and author Jenni Fagan (“The Panoptican”), and the company’s in-house filmmaker Antonia Bain. The work will be available {…}
***This article will be updated as companies announce cancellations*** Major opera houses in the United Kingdom have canceled performances due to the coronavirus outbreak. The English National Opera announced that it was canceling all performances but honor all contracts. Meanwhile the Scottish Opera stated, “In line with advice from the Scottish Government and the announcement from Capital Theatres earlier today {…}