We are delighted to present the Scottish premiere of our first-ever animated opera short, Josefine, at Glasgow Short Film Festival on March 21.
Screening at Grosvenor Picture Theatre, this 14-minute film, inspired by Franz Kafka’s last short story ‘Josefine the Singer’, is produced in partnership with Maestro Broadcasting, and directed by our resident filmmaker Antonia Bain. The UK’s first newly commissioned opera made specifically for animation, it is composed by our former Emerging Artist Composer-in-Residence Samuel Bordoli, with a libretto co-authored by Antonia.
The soundtrack features 2022/23 Emerging Artist soprano Zoe Drummond, a chorus, and The Orchestra of Scottish Opera conducted by Susannah Wapshott.
By combining the mediums of opera and animation, Josefine promises a new and exciting way to experience and explore both art forms. It takes place in a desert world designed and animated by a team headed by Sophie Bird. Here, a creature’s unearthly voice attracts sprites who are enthralled by it. The piece explores the complicated relationship between the singer and audience and the ever-more-relevant question of art’s place in times of crisis.
Following an introduction by our General Director, Alex Reedijk, and a screening of the film, audiences will have the chance to watch a behind the scenes documentary about the making of Josefine, and hear Antonia Bain, Samuel Bordoli and executive producer Gemma Dixon in conversation about how the animation came together. There will also be a short excerpt performed from Josefine, accompanied on piano by Susannah Wapshott.
To buy tickets for Josefine, and for the full GSFF programme visit glasgowshort.org
To find out more, and watch the Josefine trailer visit scottishopera.org.uk/shows/josefine/