Scottish Opera’s production of Debussy’s Pelléas and Mélisande has been nominated for The South Bank Sky Arts Award for Opera.
Sir David McVicar made a welcome return to Scottish Opera in the 2016/17 Season to direct Pelléas and Mélisande for the first time in his career. Scottish Opera Music Director Stuart Stratford conducted a cast that included Carolyn Sampson as Mélisande, Andrei Bondarenko as Pelléas and Roland Wood as Golaud.
The production went on to win the UK Theatre Award 2017 for Achievement in Opera, and was also shortlisted for a Royal Philharmonic Society Music Award in the Opera and Music Theatre Category.
Alex Reedijk, Scottish Opera General Director said: ‘We are delighted that Pélleas and Mélisande has been nominated for The South Bank Sky Arts Award for Opera. Having previously won the UK Theatre Award for Achievement in Opera and been shortlisted for a Royal Philharmonic Society Music Award, I am extremely proud of Scottish Opera and everyone involved in making this fantastic production including the wonderful cast and the superb playing by The Orchestra of Scottish Opera. Sir David McVicar’s superb creative energies and Stuart Stratford’s musical insight came together to create a production that spoke to audiences and critics alike.’
Also shortlisted alongside Pelléas and Mélisande are Glyndebourne’s Hamlet and The Grange Festival’s Albert Herring.
The South Bank Sky Arts Awards is the only awards ceremony in the world to celebrate every area of the arts, with awards for Literature, Dance, TV Drama, Film, Classical Music, Comedy, Pop, Opera, Visual Art and Theatre. Presented by Lord Melvin Bragg and now in its 22nd year, the ceremony will take place on Sunday 1 July at the Savoy Hotel in London, and will be televised on Sky Arts the following week.