We are excited to be contributing a fresh and witty digital short film to Edinburgh International Festival’s My Light Shines On, a series of video works and light installations across Scotland’s capital to mark the beginning of the festival season.
Through a series of digital commissions, the Edinburgh International Festival is partnering with Scottish artists and national arts companies, spanning the worlds of theatre, music and dance, to film original performances in spaces throughout the Festival Theatre, King’s Theatre, Leith Theatre, The Hub and Queen’s Hall.
Our contribution to My Light Shines On is an adaptation of Gian Carlo Menotti’s opera, The Telephone. This one act romantic comedy for two singers and a chamber orchestra was filmed at King’s Theatre, Edinburgh. Cast as young lovers Lucy and Ben are soprano Soraya Mafi and baritone Jonathan McGovern (Flight 2018), joined by supporting actor Hannah Birkin, and conducted by Stuart Stratford, Scottish Opera Music Director. They are accompanied by 24 players from The Orchestra of Scottish Opera.
In Menotti’s 1947 work – now updated to modern-day Edinburgh – Ben has met Lucy for a quick drink before he has to catch a train. What Lucy doesn’t know is that Ben is about to propose, but she can’t tear her eyes away from her mobile. A reminder that real life is so much more interesting than what is on our phone screens, The Telephone is a Scottish Opera film, commissioned by Edinburgh International Festival, directed by Daisy Evans (Opera Highlights 2018) with designs by Loren Elstein.
All cast and crew observed social distancing throughout the making of the film.
Director, Daisy Evans said: ‘The Telephone is a story that resonates with us all, too often do our eyes drift to our phone screens as notifications pop up, friends call and social media beckons. This opera is a light-hearted, loving window into the lives of a young couple; Ben has an important question to ask Lucy, but can he beat the lure of the telephone?'
All films premiere on Edinburgh International Festival’s You Tube channel on Saturday 8 August, from 9.30pm: www.youtube.com/user/edinburghintfestival