Congratulations are due to two members of the Scottish Opera family who are recognised in The King’s Birthday Honours this year.
Our Chairman, Peter Lawson, who has held this role since 2014, has been awarded a CBE. A lawyer, and a partner in a Glasgow-based firm specialising in licensing, he has been involved in a number of arts organisations and trusts over the past 30 years. Peter is a past Chairman of the Tron Theatre Company, past Chairman of Glasgow UNESCO City of Music, a former committee member of BAFTA Scotland and has been legal adviser to, and board member and supporter of Maggie’s Cancer Care.
Peter said: ‘I am honoured and delighted to accept the CBE in the 2023 Birthday Honours List. I have been very fortunate to have been able to contribute to the cultural scene over the past 40 years, particularly with my Chairmanships of the Tron Theatre and currently of Scottish Opera. I consider the honour to be a recognition of the importance of culture in bettering everyone’s day-to-day life, and also honouring the wonderfully dedicated and talented people with whom I have worked in the arts in Scotland.’
Scottish Opera General Director, Alex Reedijk, said: ‘I have known Peter for over 15 years, and he is a very kind man, always generous with his knowledge, philanthropy, and time. He travels with a big smile and generous heart and has a knack for bringing out the very best in his clients, colleagues, supporters, and fellow trustees. Peter has a longstanding and deep passion for the performing arts. We are all delighted that his tireless work and dedication have been acknowledged in this way.’
We are also thrilled that star tenor Nicky Spence, our Scottish Opera Young Company Patron, has been awarded an OBE for Services to Music. Nicky has previously performed with us in our productions of Opera Highlights, The Flying Dutchman and The Magic Flute, and regularly works with Young Company, which is for singers aged 17 to 21. Earlier this year, Nicky spent a morning with the singers at a workshop session in our Production Studios in Glasgow where he personally coached them and passed on his expertise and advice.
Nicky Spence commented: 'To be recognised in this way for doing a job I adore is the cherry on an already pretty juicy cake. Opera is such a team sport and I'm lucky to collaborate with remarkable people everyday through music but growing up without a bean, I'd love to dedicate this to the village of people who have aided my adventure to the opera stage. I’m encouraged to use this honour to further improve routes into the profession for singers from every background and hopefully inspire the next generation of undiscovered voices.'