A Scottish Opera film
Most years, our Opera Highlights tours crisscross Scotland to bring opera to your doorstep. This year, we’re going one step further – bringing it right into your front room.
Filmed at the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock in October 2020, and working to Scottish Government social distancing guidelines for singers, director Rosie Purdie’s fun new production is a playful look at the joys and frustrations facing performers in our new world of Covid-19 – and the bizarre new habits we’ve all acquired both in life and on stage.
Four singers, excited to be performing live for the first time since lockdown, come together with a glorious array of music – from Verdi’s La traviata and Bizet’s Carmen to Gilbert & Sullivan, Mozart, Lehár and more. As personalities clash, romance blossoms and social distancing gets in the way of everything, they eventually find the fun in being back on stage together once more.
Scottish Opera’s 2020/21 Emerging Artists – soprano Catriona Hewitson, mezzo-soprano Margo Arsane, tenor Shengzhi Ren and baritone Arthur Bruce – showcase their outstanding talents together for the first time, accompanied by pianist Susannah Wapshott.
Join us for a colourful celebration of opera, live music and performance.
Supported by the Friends of Scottish Opera, JTH Charitable Trust and The Scottish Opera Endowment Trust
Cast & Creatives
Soprano
Catriona Hewitson*
*Scottish Opera Emerging Artist
Mezzo soprano
Margo Arsane*
*Scottish Opera Emerging Artist
Tenor
Shengzhi Ren*
*Scottish Opera Emerging Artist
Baritone
Arthur Bruce*
*The Robertson Trust Scottish Opera Emerging Artist
Pianist
Susannah Wapshott
Director
Rosie Purdie
Original narrative and script
Rosie Purdie
Musical Directors
Jonathan Swinard and Susannah Wapshott
Programme devised by
Derek Clark
Director of film production
Antonia Bain
Watch
Opera Highlights Autumn 2020
Opera Highlights 2020 | Meet the cast (kind of)
Programme
Dive deeper into Opera Highlights with our digital programme—featuring details on the full repertoire for the show, as well as exclusive articles and interviews with the creators.
Production images

Shengzhi Ren, Arthur Bruce and Margo Arsane in Opera Highlighs. Scottish Opera 2020. Credit Colin Hattersley.
Opera Highlights Aut 2020. Credit Colin Hattersley
Catriona Hewitson in Opera Highlights. Scottish Opera 2020. Credit Colin Hattersley.
Opera Highlights Aut 2020. Credit Colin Hattersley
Margo Arsane in Opera Highlights. Scottish Opera 2020. Credit Colin Hattersley.
Opera Highlights Aut 2020. Credit Colin Hattersley
Shengzhi Ren in Opera Highlights. Scottish Opera 2020. Credit Colin Hattersley (2)
Opera Highlights Aut 2020. Credit Colin Hattersley
Arthur Bruce, Catriona Hewitson, Shengzhi Ren and Margo Arsane. Scottish Opera 2020. Credit Coline Hattersley
Opera Highlights Aut 2020. Credit Colin Hattersley
Shengzhi Ren in Opera Highlights. Scottish Opera 2020. Credit Colin Hattersley.
Opera Highlights Aut 2020. Credit Colin Hattersley
Catriona Hewitson in Opera Highlights. Scottish Opera 2020. Credit Colin Hattersley
Opera Highlights Aut 2020. Credit Colin Hattersley