It's been 18 months since Scottish Opera has performed indoors to a live audience, but the wait is nearly over as we return to theatres and concert halls across Scotland this Autumn, and we can't wait to welcome you back! More information on booking will be available in the coming weeks.
General Director Alex Reedijk said:
'We are delighted that after 18 months we are going to be able to open theatre doors and welcome audiences back inside. The Gondoliers is the perfect way to kick-start this return, with its whimsical wit and glorious music. It is a truly uplifting production to mark such a positive milestone in our return to live performance – we can’t wait to be with you again inside a theatre!'
Touring this October and November to Theatre Royal Glasgow, Festival Theatre Edinburgh and Eden Court, Inverness before travelling to Hackney Empire in London in March 2022 is Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Gondoliers. Directed by Stuart Maunder, Artistic Director at State Opera South Australia, and with set and costume design by Dick Bird (Mikado, 2015, Nixon in China, 2020) the production is packed full of fun and whimsy, brought to life with fabulously inventive props – which are never quite what they seem – and exquisitely detailed costumes that will transport audiences to Venice’s Grand Canal. We are delighted to be including Access Gondoliers performances in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness as part of the Scottish tour.
Audiences will also have the opportunity to see the rarely-performed Utopia, Limited in Glasgow, Edinburgh and London. These concert performances will be a premiere for Scottish Opera and with only a handful of professional performances since the original staging, this is a rare opportunity to indulge in some of Gilbert & Sullivan’s lesser-known work.
Conductor and Head of Music Derek Clark said:
‘The Gondoliers is like a breath of Italian summer air. Gilbert’s witty book and lyrics show him at the top of his game and Sullivan, inspired by the Venetian setting, produced his sunniest score, with one lilting melody after another – all guaranteed to make you leave the theatre with a smile on your face. It’s pure joy from start to finish, exactly what is needed after a difficult year.’
This September, our popular Opera Highlights tour returns to venues across Scotland. The tour kicks off on 14 September in Greenock before travelling across Scotland to Musselburgh, St Andrews, Ballachullish, Strathpeffer, Stornoway, Peebles, Ayr and Dunoon. Performed by a cast including new Scottish Opera 2021/22 Emerging Artists, director Jeanne Pansard-Besson’s production promises an uplifting playlist of operatic favourites.
Following the success of our Scottish Opera: On Screen collection of opera films, our online production of Così fan tutte will be transported from the screen to the stage at Lammermuir Festival on Thursday 9 September at St Mary’s, Haddington. Stuart Stratford conducts this fully staged production, directed by Roxana Haines and performed by the original cast from the film, including Scottish Opera’s 2020/21 Emerging Artists. The production will then travel to Perth Concert Hall on Saturday 11 September. Tickets for Lammermuir go on sale on Friday 30 July with Perth tickets on sale soon.
Looking ahead to December, we bring back a favourite show for 3-6 year olds, Mr MacNeep Has Lost His Sheep, for a run of performances at the Scottish Opera Production Studios. Featuring live music, singing and puppets, this fun 45-minute show offers opportunities for young ones to participate as they help Farmer MacNeep find his favourite sheep, Barry and Barbara.
Also this month we'll be celebrating the music of Puccini with a special Gala Concert at the Caird Hall in Dundee. More information will be available soon.
Booking information for all performances taking place throughout the Autumn will be available in the coming weeks. For updates, why not sign up to the Scottish Opera mailing list?
A special thank you to all our supporters who donated to The Gondoliers Play A Supporting Role appeal, helping to create this wonderful production which was originally scheduled for 2020. We can’t wait to show you how the work has turned out. If you can't wait that long, we shone a spotlight on The Gondoliers online last year, with exclusive tasters of the music, along with insights into the world of G&S through exclusive articles and archive photography. You can find out more here.
Performance diary:
Così fan tutte
9 Sept, St Mary’s, Haddington (Lammermuir Festival)
11 Sept, Perth Concert Hall
Opera Highlights
14 Sept, Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock
16 Sept, Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh
18 Sept, The Byre, St Andrews
21 Sept, Ballachulish Village Hall
23 Sept, Strathpeffer Pavillion
25 Sept, An Lanntair, Stornoway
28 Sept, Eastgate Theatre, Peebles
29 Sept, Gaiety Theatre, Ayr
2 Oct, Queens Hall, Dunoon
The Gondoliers
16, 21, 23 Oct, Theatre Royal Glasgow
22 Oct, Access Gondoliers, Theatre Royal Glasgow
28, 29, 30, 31 Oct& 4,6 Nov, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
3 Nov, Access Gondoliers, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
10, 11, 13 Nov, Eden Court, Inverness
12 Nov, Access Gondoliers, Eden Court Inverness
30, 31 Mar and 2 Apr 2022, Hackney Empire, London
Utopia, Limited
20 Oct, Theatre Royal Glasgow
5 Nov, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
1 Apr 2022, Hackney Empire, London
Gala Concert
12 Dec, Caird Hall, Dundee
Mr MacNeep Has Lost His Sheep
3 - 22 Dec, Scottish Opera Production Studios, Glasgow