In a new online exclusive, Scottish Opera debuted a short film as part of Crafted by Scotland in Scottish Ballet’s Digital Season. ‘In Glasgow’ is taken from composer Lliam Paterson’s song cycle ‘Spirit of the Place’ and sets Edwin Morgan’s poem to music.
For their 50th anniversary year, Scottish Ballet asked their fellow Scottish cultural organisations to create a digital response to what makes them crafted by Scotland. We were delighted to capture on film the music of Aberdeen-born Lliam, who is also a former Scottish Opera Emerging Artist. ‘Spirit of the Place’ was originally commissioned for Glasgow’s book festival, Aye Write, and sets the poetry of Scotland’s first Makar. ‘In Glasgow’ is sung by soprano Marie Claire Breen, another former Emerging Artist, with current Emerging Artist repetiteur Erika Gundeson accompanying on piano. Permission was given by Carcanet Press to use the words of Edwin Morgan.
Scottish Opera’s Digital Content Producer, Antonia Bain, directed the film in the stunning surrounds of The Savings Bank, just south of Glasgow’s River Clyde. We chose to create a film that showcased our connections all around Scotland, from our artists to our fellow cultural organisations and of course, our audiences.
Scottish Ballet’s Digital Season launched on Thursday 16 May. Other organisations in the Crafted by Scotland project include National Theatre Scotland, National Museums Scotland, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, The Work Room, Citizen’s Theatre, Scottish Ensemble, Capital Theatres Edinburgh, The King’s and Theatre Royal Glasgow, Eden Court Inverness, His Majesty’s Theatre Aberdeen, Take Me Somewhere, and Shetland Library.
You can watch ‘In Glasgow’ here: https://youtu.be/w2uUVcyZc8w