HC-One Scotland’s Murrayfield House care homehosted their very own ‘Taylor Swift at Murrayfield’ event (and avoided the predicted road closures and lengthy queues) before the star arrives for her three consecutive concerts to kick-off the UK leg of The Eras Tour.
The home’s residents and colleagues held their very own Taylor Swift themed event where they sang and danced along to the 14-time Grammy winner’s greatest hits. Edinburgh will be bustling with eventgoers when the concerts take place – especially around the stadium area. The UK leg of Taylor Swift’s ‘The Eras Tour’ will begin at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh tonight.
The Edinburgh care home held their own “Swiftie” concert on May 31, prior to the star’s arrival in the capital. The home even had a life-sized Taylor Swift cardboard cut-out to mark the American pop icon’s arrival.
There were also lanyards with passes attached, which were provided to the “Scottish Swiftie” residents to replicate the fans’ experience. Taylor Swift posters were also proudly displayed, and balloons added to the party atmosphere.
All “eventgoers” were also handed silver pompoms and Taylor Swift masks to immerse themselves in the celebrations at the ‘Taylor Swift at Murrayfield’ event. Murrayfield House colleagues dressed up in costumes to dance along to tracks such as ‘I Knew You Were Trouble’, ‘Shake It Off’ and ‘Love Story’ with a dance group who performed throughout the event.
Residents also enjoyed confectionary, as well as cocktails and mocktails. The American pop icon will play for three consecutive nights at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium from Friday, June 7 to Sunday, June 9, 2024.
It will be the first time Taylor Swift has performed in Scotland since 2015 and Murrayfield House residents cannot wait to read the media coverage about her tour. The Eras setlist will take fans on a journey through the career of Taylor Swift, beginning with ‘Lover’ and ending with ‘Midnights’. During each performance, Taylor Swift will play two acoustic songs.
Fiona Truesdale, Murrayfield House’s Home Manager, said:“I was thrilled to host the ‘Taylor Swift at Murrayfield House’ event. Our residents really enjoyed the celebrations. We all sang along to Taylor’s biggest hits with costumes and bunting providing added sparkle – befitting of the superstar.
“We are excited to welcome Taylor Swift back to Scotland for the first time since 2015. All of us Scottish Swifties can’t wait to see her back to perform at Murrayfield Stadium, which is just over a mile away from us at Murrayfield House.”
Margaret Finch, Wellbeing Coordinator at Murrayfield House, said: “It’s all about having fun and our colleagues and residents had a great time singing and dancing along to Taylor Swift’s songs. All residents had lanyards on as they had been “invited” to the big event – it was brilliant.
“We chose to do this event as many of our residents enjoy entertainment. Everyone enjoys Taylor Swift, and this showed – with wide mouth smiles on our colleagues’ and residents’ faces. The younger generation (including many of our residents’ relatives) are huge Taylor fans and so we felt that our residents should join in on the fun.”
In its 62nd year, Scottish Opera presents eight emotionally powered operas; two composer collections; an animated opera; and a packed programme of touring, outreach, and education work
World premieres of Karen MacIver’s RED by Scottish Opera Young Company, Toby Hession’s A Matter of Misconduct! and animated opera Josefine by Samuel Bordoli
New productions of Stravinsky’s Oedipus Rex, Janáček’s The Makropulos Affair, Gilbert & Sullivan’s Trial by Jury and Lehár’s The Merry Widow
Britten’s Albert Herring specially created forLammermuir Festival
Revival of 2014 production of Donizetti’s Don Pasquale
Opera in Concert includes The Puccini and Strauss Collections
Scottish Opera has unveiled its 2024/25 Season, which features 13 opera offerings: Oedipus Rex, Albert Herring, Don Pasquale, The Makropulos Affair, The Merry Widow, Trial by Jury, A Matter of Misconduct!, RED, Josefine, The Puccini and Strauss Collections, Opera Highlights and Pop-up Opera.
This includes three world premieres, four new productions, two composer collections, a revival of a much-loved show, and a packed programme of concerts, touring, outreach, and education work.
This high-octane collection of operas, concerts and tours covers a wide range of composers, styles and stories, demonstrating the Company’s continuing commitment to keeping opera accessible, entertaining, and performed to the highest possible standards for audiences all across Scotland.
Alex Reedijk, Scottish Opera General Director, said: ‘Our commitment to presenting world-class opera across all of Scotland is once again evident in our 2024/25 Season, which we are delighted to announce today.
‘We have 13 exciting opera adventures ahead of us: Oedipus Rex, Albert Herring, Don Pasquale, The Makropulos Affair, The Merry Widow, Trial by Jury, A Matter of Misconduct!, RED, Josefine, The Puccini and Strauss Collections, Opera Highlights and Pop-up Opera. Audiences can experience the full spectrum of human responses and feelings that only opera can evoke, from belly laughs to tears, with this diverse collectionof works, themes and composers.
‘It is hugely heartening to see enthusiastic audience and critical response to our work; this loyal support makes our art possible. We are immensely grateful to everyone who buys a ticket or generously supports us, and we are as ever thankful to the Scottish Government for ongoing core funding. We invite everyone to be a part of Scottish Opera and look forward to welcoming audiences at an upcoming performance.’
Stuart Stratford, Scottish Opera Music Director, added: ‘This is Scottish Opera’s 62nd year, and in our 2024/25 Season we are presenting music from more than 11 composers in 56 venues the length and breadth of the country, showing our unabated dedication to bringing opera to everyone in Scotland.
“Featuring a wide variety of styles and genres, it truly exemplifies what the Company is all about.
‘There are some more familiar works alongside brand new music, including the relentless forward momentum of Stravinsky’s Oedipus Rex, the bel canto masterpiece of Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, as well as world firsts from talented young composers like Toby Hession’s A Matter of Misconduct!. We are particularly delighted to launch Josefine, our very first opera told through animation, which follows on from our internationally acclaimed short film, The Narcissistic Fish.
‘Partnerships are a crucial part of making opera, and we are working with other internationally renowned opera companies to maximise resources and create fantastic shows. This Season sees co-productions with our friends at Welsh National Opera, Opera Holland Park, and D’Oyly Carte Opera.
‘We are also incredibly proud of the work we have just done in the 2023/24 Season, which included receiving an International Opera Award nomination for Puccini’s Il trittico. Our reach around the world is evident with a number of our productions being performed far and wide including Ainadamar this autumn at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and in spring 2025, Missy Mazzoli’s Breaking the Waves, which also began life in Scotland, opens at Houston Grand Opera.’
A balance of international and home grown talent appears throughout the season.
Making their debuts with the Company are Josef Jeongmeen Ahn, Stacey Alleaume, Seumas Begg, Chloe Harris, Edward Jowle, Kira Kaplan, Jonathan Forbes Kennedy, Michael Lafferty, Mykhailo Malafii, Filipe Manu and Callum Thorpe.
There are welcome return visits from Orla Boylan, Mark Le Brocq, Susan Bullock, Brad Cooper, Ross Cumming, Glen Cunningham, Helena Dix, Zoe Drummond, Alasdair Elliott, Catriona Hewitson, Hanna Hipp, Emyr Wyn Jones, Rhian Lois, Jamie MacDougall, Shengzhi Ren, David Stout, Richard Suart, Henry Waddington, Sinéad Campbell Wallace, Kitty Whately, and Roland Wood.
Season 2024/25 Productions
This August 12, 18 and 19, at Edinburgh International Festival (EIF), Scottish Opera presents a promenade performance of Stravinsky’s Oedipus Rex at the National Museum of Scotland.
Building on the Company’s well-honed model of 5-star community opera, the Museum’s awe-inspiring Grand Gallery is a spectacular setting for a night of classical drama, exceptional vocal performances and moving orchestral music.
In this co-presentation with EIF, Scottish Opera Music Director Stuart Stratford conducts former Emerging Artist Shengzhi Ren (Daphne 2023)as Oedipus, Kitty Whately (Don Giovanni 2022) as Jocasta, Roland Wood (Marx in London! 2024) as Creon, Callum Thorpe as Tiresias, Seumas Begg as Shepherd and Emyr Wyn Jones (Don Giovanni 2022) as Messenger.
The director is Roxana Haines (Hansel & Gretel 2023)and designs are by Anna Orton (The Tsar Has His Photograph Taken 2021). An impressive community chorus from across the Central Belt of Scotland joins Scottish Opera for this unique performance of a timeless piece made anew for audiences.
In the ancient city of Thebes, Oedipus has been crowned king, but as the Oracle prophesises misfortune, it becomes ever more apparent that the new king cannot outrun his fate. A cathartic exploration of identity, free will, and the human condition, Oedipus Rex celebrates the bravery and resolve with which humans can face their destinies.
Oedipus Rex is supported by The Scottish Opera Endowment Trust.
Award-winning Daisy Evans (The Telephone 2020) is directing a specially created production of Britten’s chamber opera, Albert Herring, for Lammermuir Festival. As well as at Haddington’s Corn Exchange in September, it will be performed at Theatre Royal Glasgow and Festival Theatre Edinburgh this October and November.
Britten’s loose adaptation of a Guy de Maupassant short story has become one of the 20th century’s most beloved operatic comedies, and in this production William Cole conducts a cast of top UK singers alongside up-and-coming talent. This includes former Scottish Opera Emerging Artist Glen Cunningham (A Midsummer Night’s Dream 2021) as Albert Herring, Susan Bullock (Candide 2022) as Lady Billows and Jamie MacDougall (Marx in London! 2024) as the Mayor, Mr. Upfold.
The market town of Loxford is just as busy with gossip as it is with trade. As Lady Billows organises the annual May Day festival, she is alarmed when her housekeeper Florence Pike informs her that not a single young lady is suitably virtuous to be crowned May Queen. The answer is to crown Albert Herring, a shy mother’s boy, as the May King. Albert has not done anything wrong – indeed, he has hardly done anything at all! Suddenly in the spotlight, Albert finds himself at the crossroads between the time-honoured traditions upheld by Loxford’s old guard and the freewheeling fun of his fellow youngsters, both of whom are quick to judge the odd one out.
Designer Kat Heath brings a colourful eye to this heart-warming coming-of-age story that celebrates finding one’s own path in life despite – or perhaps because of – the misadventures along the way.
Albert Herring is supported by The Scottish Opera Endowment Trust.
Conducted by Stuart Stratford, a revival of the 2014 production of Donizetti’s Don Pasquale opens at Theatre Royal Glasgow in October, and tours to Inverness, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
Director and Choreographer Renaud Doucet and designer André Barbe (La bohème 2017) bring the quick-witted comedy to life with typically colourful and quirky style. Set in Rome at the cusp of the Swinging Sixties, the eccentric characters are given life in a world that is the perfect setting for a titanic clash of generations. This highly successful production of Don Pasquale, which began life at Scottish Opera, was recently seen in Miami, Genova, Vancouver, and Toronto.
David Stout, who delighted audiences in The Barber of Seville in autumn 2023, returns to Scottish Opera in the title role, with three up-and-coming singers making their Scottish Opera debuts in the main roles. Stacey Alleaume is Norina, Filipe Manu is Pasquale’s son Ernesto and Josef Jeongmeen Ahn is Doctor Malatesta.
Don Pasquale is supported by The Scottish Opera Syndicate.
In February, for the first time since 1993, Scottish Opera is presenting a full staging of The Makropulos Affair by Janáček, in a new co-production with Welsh National Opera.
The Makropulos Affair tells the story of Emilia Marty, Elina Makropulos, E.M.; the stylish, enigmatic diva who has lived many lives, and for over three centuries has been on a quest to become a great opera singer. Captivating minds and hearts along her journey through time and across Europe, her existence throws up questions of science and nature, reality and fantasy, and life and death. When the elixir she was given begins to lose its power, and when secrets of her lives and loves come to light, she can no longer outrun these essential human tensions.
Martyn Brabbins conducts The Orchestra of Scottish Opera, with Orla Boylan (Marx in London! 2024) leading the cast as Emilia Marty, Brad Cooper (Daphne 2023) as Albert Gregor, Henry Waddington (Greek 2018) as Doctor Kolenatý and Mark Le Brocq (Nixon in China 2020) as Vitek.
Opening at Theatre Royal Glasgow before touring to Festival Theatre Edinburgh, this production directed by Olivia Fuchs with multi-layered, poetic designs by Nicola Turner, was nominated for a Southbank Sky Arts Award when presented by Welsh National Opera in 2022. An English translation makes this psychologically astute story even more immediate.
The Makropulos Affair is supported by The Alexander Gibson Circle.
Opening in April in Glasgow before touring to Inverness, Edinburgh and Aberdeen is a new co-production with D’Oyly Carte Opera and Opera Holland Park of The Merry Widow.
Lehár’s charming operetta is directed by John Savournin (who last appeared with Scottish Opera in Ainadamar in2022), conducted by Stuart Stratford,with celebrated stage designer takis bringing his signature visual dynamism to the romance. A new English translation by John Savournin and David Eaton makes this operetta’s wit sparkle. Details of the cast will be announced later this year.
The Merry Widow is set at a lavish Parisian party, a grand occasion for dancing, drinking, and indiscreet love affairs. Baron Zeta – ambassador from the cash-strapped fictional Balkan state of Pontevedro – has a slightly more serious matter in mind. Among his party is Hanna Glawari, a sprightly Pontevedran widow who has arrived in town to enjoy life and her late husband’s immense fortune. Zeta cannot bear the thought of Pontevedro losing half its national wealth should Hanna marry a Parisian, so he sets his First Secretary Count Danilo to keep tabs on her heart. Little does he know that they have quite the history…
The Merry Widow is supported by Scottish Opera’s ‘Play A Supporting Role’ Appeal.
In May and June 2025, to celebrate 150 years of D’Oyly Carte Opera and Gilbert & Sullivan, a sprightly double bill of justice and its miscarriages comes to life alongside The Merry Widow: a new production of Trial by Jury, and the world premiere of A Matter of Misconduct!, a new operetta by Toby Hession with a libretto by Emma Jenkins.
Trial by Jury is directed by John Savournin, and Laura Attridge directs A Matter of Misconduct!. Conducting The Orchestra of Scottish Opera for both productions is Toby Hession, and designs are by takis.
With a comic cast including Richard Suart and Jamie MacDougall and Scottish Opera’s Emerging Artists Ross Cumming, Kira Kaplan, Chloe Harris and Edward Jowle performing contrasting roles in both pieces, it promises an unmissable night of classic G&S comedy and new writing – two pillars of Scottish Opera’s output.
The first major hit from the partnership of WS Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan satirises the mechanisms of justice through a classic case of broken vows – the defendant having literally left the plaintiff at the altar. The jury’s sympathies are divided in a case that bubbles over with emotion, humour, and downright chaos: how will they decide between the charming, yet rakish, defendant and the utterly captivating plaintiff?
Accompanying it is A Matter of Misconduct!, set in the press room at Number 9 Downing Street. When a scandal threatens to break about the frontrunner in a bloody leadership campaign, a lawyer is needed to prevent information from reaching the press. Enter Sylvia Lawless from the firm Lawless, Lawless, Lawless and Crook who must find the loopholes. This modern take on scurrilous behaviour follows Jenkins and Hession’s crowd-pleasing political satire In Flagrante, premiered on the 2023/24 Opera Highlights tour.
This new double bill is a co-production with D’Oyly Carte Opera and Opera Holland Park. A Matter of Misconduct! is a new co-commission by Scottish Opera, D’Oyly Carte Opera, and Opera Holland Park.
Supported by Scottish Opera’s New Commissions Circle.
Opera in Concert
Music Director Stuart Stratford curates Scottish Opera’s annual concert programme, introducing audiences to rare and underexplored work. Scottish Opera continues a crowd-pleasing ‘collection’ series in 2024/25 with explorations of two beloved opera composers: Giacomo Puccini and Richard Strauss.
To mark the centenary of the composer’s death, The Puccini Collection takes placein November this year at Usher Hall, Edinburgh and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, featuring favourite arias, ensembles and orchestral interludes from Puccini’s timeless operas. Soloists Sinéad Campbell Wallace, (The Puccini Collection 2021), Mykhailo Malafii, and Roland Wood (Marx in London! 2024), are accompanied on stage by The Orchestra of Scottish Opera under the baton of Stuart Stratford.
Featuring excerpts from well-known and well-loved works including Tosca, Manon Lescaut, and La bohème, as well as rarer gems from Le villi and Edgar, there is plenty for newcomers and aficionados alike in The Puccini Collection.
In March 2025, The Strauss Collection comes to Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and Usher Hall, Edinburgh.
Following the success of Daphne in 2023, Scottish Opera is delighted to present a concert spanning some of the finest music Richard Strauss ever wrote. The German composer’s early 20th-century output shows the heights of his harmonic and dramatic daring, exemplified by the three operas in this concert – Ariadne auf Naxos, Arabella, and Der Rosenkavalier.
Stuart Stratford leads The Orchestra of Scottish Opera through the German composer’s most lush and captivating scenes and arias, with a cast including sopranos Helena Dix, Rhian Lois (La bohème 2020), mezzo-soprano Hanna Hipp (Kátya Kabanová 2019) and baritone Roland Wood (Marx in London! 2024).
The Puccini Collection and The Strauss Collection are supported by Friends of Scottish Opera and The Scottish Opera Endowment Trust.
Digital productions
After the success of 2020’s live-action opera short, The Narcissistic Fish, Scottish Opera is excited to present its first ever animated opera short Josefine, produced in partnership with Maestro Broadcasting.
This 14-minute film, inspired by Franz Kafka’s last short story ‘Josefine the Singer’, is directed by Scottish Opera’s resident filmmaker Antonia Bain and composed by former Emerging Artist Composer-in-Residence Samuel Bordoli, with a libretto co-authored by the pair. The Executive Producer is Gemma Dixon, and the Animation Director is Sophie Bird.
The recording features 2022/23 Emerging Artist Zoe Drummond, a chorus including Osian Wyn Bowen, Phil Gault, Jane Monari, Frances Morrison-Allen, Colin Murray, Sarah Power, Christian Schneeberger, Sarah Shorter and The Orchestra of Scottish Opera conducted by Susannah Wapshott, Scottish Opera’s Chorus Director.
By combining the mediums of opera and animation, Josefine promises a new and exciting way to experience and explore both art forms. Taking place in a desert world where 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. With confirmed screenings at the Film Festival at Vienna’s Rathausplatz in summer 2024, as well as other dates to be announced, Josefine will soon be coming to a screen near you.
Josefine is supported by Scottish Opera’s New Commissions Circle.
Opera Highlights
Scottish Opera produces world-class work at every scale. The Company’s extensive touring programme is one of the largest of any European opera company, ensuring performances are within reach of as many of Scotland’s dispersed population as possible.
From 25 January to 22 March2025, Opera Highlights goes on the road again visiting 24 venues around Scotland, in a vibrant new production directed by Rebecca Meltzer.
A troupe of talented singers, including Scottish Opera’s Emerging Artists Ross Cumming, Chloe Harris and Kira Kaplin, perform in this one-of-a-kind show, programmed by Fiona MacSherry, Scottish Opera’s Head of Music. They are accompanied on the piano by Music Director Joseph Beesley.
They will travel to Cumbernauld, Kelso, Langholm, Clydebank, Tain, Fochabers, Midmar, Troon, Stranraer, Peebles, Mid Yell, Lerwick, Campbeltown, Craignish, Strontian, Dunoon, Castlebay, Tarbert, Ullapool, Durness, Thurso, Killin, Anstruther, and Dundee.
Scottish Opera is also running 11 schools workshops and four community sessions alongside Opera Highlights, in the following locations: Tain, Fochabers, Troon, Stranraer, Lerwick, Mid Yell, Campbeltown, Lochgilphead, Castlebay, Tarbert, Ullapool, Thurso, Anstruther, and Dundee.
Opera Highlights is supported by Friends of Scottish Opera.
Scottish Opera Young Company
From 18 to 21 July 2024, Scottish Opera Young Company is presenting the world premiere of RED, a darkly comedic piecedrawn from fairy tales by The Brothers Grimm, at the Company’s Production Studios in Glasgow.
An interwoven story of the four stages of women’s lives that often feature in folk tales, RED is by award-winning composer Karen MacIver, with a libretto by Scottish Opera’s Director of Outreach and Education, Jane Davidson MBE. The conductor is Young Company’s Artistic Director Chris Gray, with Flora Emily Thomson (Maud & Down in the Valley 2023 and As The Seasons Turn 2022) returning to direct the 14 young performers aged between 17 to 21. Set and costume designs are by Finlay McLay.
RED is inspired by Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Snow White and Hansel & Gretel, and features aspects of the ages of unnamed female figures — girl, maiden, mother, crone — that often appear in these famous stories. The 70-minute opera examinesthe circular, metamorphic nature of these tales as well as experiences shared by generations of women across time through magical realism.
Scottish Opera Young Company offers young singers a unique and practical introduction to the world of opera and the chance to develop their talent through a year-long programme, working with a range of opera professionals.
RED is supported by The Rose Fund and Scottish Opera Education Angels.
Pop-up Opera
The current Pop-up Opera tour is already underway and on the road until 6 July, with performances of A Little Bit of The Merry Widow and A Little Bit of Don Giovanni – one the ultimate rom-com, the other a moody story of one man’s fate – entertaining audiences from Dumfries to Orkney.
The 2024 Pop-up tour also includes the Scottish Opera new commission Sophie & Bear, a piece for Primary 1-4 that explores mental health awareness and self-care. The specially created piece is composed by Graham McCusker, and devised and written by Pop-up regulars Andrew McTaggart and Jessica Leary.
In these shows, audiences can experience opera on a miniature scale with performances brought to life by a storyteller, singers, instrumentalists and colourful illustrations.
Schoolchildren can also look forward to the tour popping up in primary schools for free performances.
Details of the 2024/25 Pop-up Opera tour will be announced early next year.
Pop-up Opera is supported by Friends of Scottish Opera.
Emerging Artists
The Scottish Opera Emerging Artistsprogramme offers young talent a period of full-time work with the Company to help launch their careers. This season they include soprano Kira Kaplan, mezzo-soprano Chloe Harris, baritone Ross Cumming (returning for a second Season), bass-baritone Edward Jowle, and repetiteur José Javier Ucendo Malo (also returning). The Elizabeth Salvesen Costume Trainee will be announced soon.
Emerging Artist singers perform in a number of this season’s productions and tours, and in recitals at the University of Glasgow and University of St Andrews this November.
They are supported by Scottish Opera’s Emerging Artist Benefactors and Elizabeth Salvesen.
National Opera Studio
As one of the National Opera Studio’s partners, Scottish Opera is delighted to host the 2024/25 NOS cohort – a group comprising some of the brightest rising star singers and repetiteurs from around the world – for a one-week residency of coaching with the Company’s Music department and a guest director. The result is a brand-new showcase performance of operatic scenes and extracts on the set of The Makropulos Affair at Theatre Royal Glasgow on 21 February.
The Orchestra of Scottish Opera
The Orchestra of Scottish Opera regularly performs with other professional musical ensembles across the west of Scotland, supporting their work and the country’s wider ecology of live music and performing arts.
In the 2024/25 Season, The Orchestra performs with companies including Paisley Opera’s production of Gounod’s Faust, Pops at the Phil – The Golden Age of Radio and Early Television, Dundee Choral Union, City of Glasgow Chorus – A Christmas Cracker and Ayr Arts Guild, with more engagements to be announced.
Special Delivery
From 30 November to 29 December at Cumbernauld Theatre at Lanternhouse, is Special Delivery, presented by Cumbernauld Theatre Company, Visible Fictions, and Scottish Opera.
An enchanting musical journey filled with wonder, created for little ones aged 3-7, this delightful show follows Santa on his busiest night of the year, Christmas Eve. Travelling around the world and squeezing down chimneys to deliver presents is a tough job, but this time it is made even more difficult when he is joined by a tiny mischievous hitchhiker who is looking for a way back home. Composed by Karen MacIver with words by Clive King, the director is Dougie Irvine.
Opera in schools
Scottish Opera’s children’s operas make learning fun and creative. Over the years, the Primary Schools Tour has inspired over 850,000 children across all 32 Local Authority areas.
This year’s show is The Tale O’ Tam, a beloved Scottish Opera original making its return with a new digital version. The Tale O’ Tam, composed by Karen MacIver with words by Ross Stenhouse,can be facilitated with an in-person workshop day led by Scottish Opera Teaching Artists with full rental of props and costumes, or entirely within the classroom by teachers themselves, all supported by materials provided by the Company.
Scottish Opera also offers teaching resources for Secondary School pupils. Having worked alongside Largs Academy to develop the materials suitable for young people, The Elixir of Love: Three Ways to Stage an Operais a free teaching resource for teachers. Pupils learn about music, drama, and art and design – incorporating elements of history, storytelling, and critical thinking – as they explore Donizetti’s comedy through three interpretations.
Taking place from 28 October to 22 November 2024, The Giant’s Harp is an interactive educational singing workshop and performance pairing for pupils in Primary 3-4, which has been created by mezzo-soprano Lea Shaw and harpist Sharron Griffiths,to introduce children to the beautiful music and versatility of the harp. Using the legend ofJack and the Beanstalk and its magical singing harp, youngsters learn about the long history of this instrument and the many continents and cultures where it can be found.
Disney Musicals in Schools collaborates with primary schools with no previous engagement with the arts and often facing a range of social and economic challenges. Teaching Artists guide pupils through rehearsals for special adaptations of Disney musicals and, crucially, provide training for teachers to build their pupils’ skills and confidence through the performance arts, creating a sustainable arts legacy for the future. Scottish Opera is Disney Musical in Schools’ first Scottish partner, and in this fourth successful year of the programme the Company engages with Additional Support Needs Schools for the first time.
New for 2024, Scottish Opera partners with St. Mary’s Edinburgh and Douglas Academy Glasgow to support, mentor, and increase the numbers of young singers who want to explore opera as a career. A notable focus for 2024/25 and future seasons, based on recently identified gaps in music education and career progression, is on those with Additional Support Needs and those already attending one of Scotland’s Specialist Music Schools.
The Opera in Schools programmes are supported by Harbinson Charitable Trust, David & June Gordon Memorial Trust, Hayward Sanderson Trust, Scottish Opera’s Education Angels and JTH Charitable Trust.
Memory Spinners
Scottish Opera continues to offer its Memory Spinners project for those living with dementia. The free project uses music, storytelling, movement, and visual arts to help Glasgow-based people living with dementia get creative, and form new support networks. Throughout each 8-week term, they share memories that are then incorporated into a relaxed performance for friends and family.
Supported by The R S Macdonald Charitable Trust, Sylvia Aitken Charitable Trust, Bellahouston Bequest Fund, Trades House of Glasgow (Commonwealth Fund), and Scottish Opera’s Education Angels.
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland collaboration
Starting in 2025, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland introduces a one-year Artist Diploma in Opera in collaboration with Scottish Opera to offer a highly specialised combination of vocal, movement and acting training. This new partnership will nurture the next generation of international opera talent, and culminates in students taking leading roles in Glasgow and Edinburgh as part of Scottish Opera’s core season.
Breath Cycle
The ground-breaking online programme, Breath Cycle, was formed with the Respiratory and Cystic Fibrosis Medicine team at NHS Glasgow. Designed to benefit those living with conditions affecting lung health – particularly Long COVID – free resources introduce participants to vocal exercises and breathing techniques. The response is overwhelmingly positive, with participants citing improvement in breathing, energy levels and mood. More information is available on the Scottish Opera website, where a series of short tutorials and exercises can be accessed, or those interested can sign up for weekly online sessions and song writing workshops.
The Covid Composer’s Songbook, aselection of songs written by Breath Cycleparticipants, has been recorded for anyone to use and enjoy. Visit Scottish Opera’s website to download the full collection.
Breath Cycle has grown from its original work with cystic fibrosis patients to include those recovering from Long COVID, then developing further to offer broader wellbeing support. This year, Scottish Opera partners with leading experts at University of the West of Scotland and Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland to develop Breath Cycle alongside evolving understandings of lung health and its associated health concerns.
Supported by The Scottish Government, Cruach Trust, The Murdoch Forrest Charitable Trust, W M Mann Foundation, Souter Charitable Trust and Scottish Opera’s Education Angels.
Community Choir
Places are available in Scottish Opera’s Community Choir, open to adults of all ages and conducted by Katy Lavinia Cooper, which starts up again in September. Set up in 2012, the Choir gives members an opportunity to sing a wide variety of music – folk, world, classical, opera, popular, and more – in a supportive atmosphere, with sharings each term and opportunities to perform in full operas, including Oedipus Rex at the Edinburgh International Festival. They do not need to be able to read music or have previous experience. The Community Choir most recently performed The Jolly Beggars at Cottiers Theatre in Glasgow.
Supported by Cruach Trust, The Murdoch Forrest Charitable Trust, W M Mann Foundation, Souter Charitable Trust, and Scottish Opera’s Education Angels.
Accessible Performances
Scottish Opera is offering a range of accessible performances, to ensure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a live opera experience that is inclusive and welcoming. With Access Opera performances and audio-description available this year, the Company aims to make it as easy as possible to attend the opera.
Specially created Access performances of Don Pasquale and The Merry Widow run alongside the mainstage productions in Glasgow and Edinburgh. With Dementia Friendly values at their core, afternoon Access performances are for those who enjoy a more relaxed opera experience. With a shorter running time (under two hours including an interval) and tickets at just £12.50, these performances are open to all, including those who may be living with dementia or Long COVID, more comfortable at a shorter show, struggling to get to evening performances, or would simply benefit from the more relaxed atmosphere.
Those who are visually impaired can also take advantage of audio-described performances where a live commentary is provided by a specialist audio describer during the show, describing the action on stage without compromising the music. As part of the experience, a recorded introduction to the opera is available in advance, as well as a live audio introduction before the start of the performance.
At select performances, audiences can book on to a free Touch Tour to become more familiar with the set, scenery, props and costumes. Pre-show talks are also available. These half-hour sessions delve into the detail of each opera, enhancing the audience enjoyment and extending knowledge of the piece.
Healing Arts Scotland
The world’s first nationwide Healing Arts campaign unites organisations across culture, science, health, education, and government. A week of performances, exhibitions, and workshops begins at the Edinburgh International Festival on 19 August 2024. Scottish Opera performs at their event at Tramway, Glasgow on 21 August. Find out more at healingartsscotland.org
Festival of Politics
On 23 August 2024, the Scottish Parliament hosts its 20th Festival of Politics in partnership with Scotland’s Futures Forum and Healing Arts Scotland. Featuring sessions on political, social, and environmental issues, the festival offers people an opportunity to discuss current affairs. Scottish Opera is thrilled to present In Flagrante by Toby Hession and Emma Jenkins a short operatic political satire premiered on the 2023/24 Opera Highlights tour, in a performance at 3pm as part of the festival. Find out more at festivalofpolitics.scot
The Small Magician
The Small Magician is a trauma-aware, inclusive, accessible vocal education resource, which enables participants to healthily challenge and build their vocal technique and knowledge from the comfort of their own home or chosen space. Created by former Scottish Opera Emerging and Associate Artist Lea Shaw, the project aims to empower participants to embrace their voices and practice, as part of a wider sense of well-being and an awareness of mental/physical health. The guidance draws on classic pedagogy, scientific research, and Yoga and embodiment practices. Workbooks and resources covering breath-work, texture, diction, intonation, pattern, embodiment, and recovery can be accessed through
Scottish law firm Thorntons is supporting Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) as the headline sponsor for a third year at the charity’s seventh Rocking Horse Ball this summer.
The annual event will take place at Prestonfield House in Edinburgh tonight and is recognised as one of the capital’s most-loved charity dinners.
The theme of this year’s Rocking Horse Ball, sponsored by Thorntons, is ‘A Whole New World’ with guests set to enjoy a night of wonder with Aladdin-themed games amongst a backdrop of flying carpets and magic lamps.
Comedian and singer Jess Robinson will return to host the event, supported by compere Alex Fleming, who will entertain guests throughout evening, including during the live auction, while music will be provided by Scottish duo BLEEKER.
Leading full-service law firm Thorntons offers a full range of legal services to businesses and private clients across the country, with partners regularly volunteering and raising money for CHAS.
Lead partner at the firm’s Edinburgh office, Clare Macpherson, is also a member of the Rocking Horse Ball’s event committee.
Diane Alton, CHAS’s high-profile events manager, said: “We are proud and privileged to have the continued support from Thorntons for a third year for our seventh Rocking Horse Ball.
“With their very generous sponsorship, we are able to wow our guests from start to finish, creating an incredible and memorable event that will raise vital funds for CHAS. We can’t wait to sprinkle our magic and take our guests to A Whole New World on the night.”
Clare Macpherson said: “It’s remarkable and humbling to witness the difference CHAS makes to families across Scotland. We’ve long supported the CHAS Rocking Horse Ball and we’re proud to once again be event sponsors and support their ongoing work.”
The charity provides nationwide hospice services for babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions at Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch while its CHAS at Home service supports families in their own homes.
To purchase tickets to this year’s event please visit:
Bankruptcy and Diligence (Scotland) Bill approved by Parliament
Protections for people who are in debt and experiencing mental health problems have been approved by the Scottish Parliament.
The Bankruptcy and Diligence (Scotland) Bill includes the power to bring in a pause on debt recovery action until six months after the person has finished treatment.
People may be eligible to apply for the mental health moratorium if:
they are receiving crisis mental health care
a mental health professional has confirmed that their debt is contributing to their mental illness or is hindering their recovery
Further detail of how the moratorium will work is included in separate regulations now before MSPs and will be subject to a public consultation.
The Bill also makes a number of technical changes to the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 2016, such as clarifying the time periods for appeals against decisions by the Accountant in Bankruptcy, the organisation responsible for overseeing bankruptcies. It also makes some minor changes to the law covering how debt recovery is carried out in Scotland.
Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee said: “Mental health problems can have a significant impact on a person’s ability to manage their finances. This legislation will give them breathing space during which creditors cannot contact them, enabling them to complete their mental health treatment and access money advice services.
“There has been broad support for the mental health moratorium and we will continue to work with our partner organisations as we put the new system in place.”
Chief Executive of the Accountant in Bankruptcy, Richard Dennis, said: “It has been good to see those with an understanding of debt and those with an understanding of mental health crises coming together to design an approach that can offer hope to those facing both these concerns.”
Jo Anderson, Director of Influence and Change at SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health), said: “The relationship between poor mental health and debt is well established: debt problems can lead to mental health problems, and mental health problems can result in debt.
“The passage of this Bill, which makes it possible to create a debt moratorium for people with mental health problems that prioritises mental health recovery over the recovery of debt, is really welcome.
“We look forward to working with the Scottish Government and partners to ensure that a moratorium provides robust protections and is accessible to everyone that needs it.”
Come and try some orienteering with us in some of our lovely Edinburgh parks in June. It is free, fun and family-friendly and everyone is welcome to give it a go.
Police are appealing for information following a serious assault which occurred in the city centre on Friday, 31 May, 2024.
Around 11.50pm a 36-year-old man was waiting at a bus stop on South Bridge when a man, who was unknown to the victim, walked past and punched him in the face.
The victim then made his way to another bus stop and travelled home. He later attended Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where he received treatment for a broken jaw.
The suspect is described as white, of slim build, and was wearing a white and blue t-shirt and a rucksack.
Detective Sergeant Steven Gray said: “This was a completely unprovoked assault and it is vital that we trace the person responsible.
“There were several members of the public nearby at the time waiting for buses and we would urge anyone who witnessed what happened to get in touch.
“We would also urge anyone with private CCTV or dash-cam footage to check in case they have captured anything which could be of significance to our enquiries.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3199 of Sunday, 2 June, 2024. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
General public and former whalers and their families sought to help co-design new online Whalers’ Memory Bank
In June 2023 the South Georgia Heritage Trust and the South Georgia Museum launched a project called The Whalers’ Memory Bank.
Supported by funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project is about creating a living, growing digital time capsule where veterans of the whaling industry, their families and communities can come together to contribute and share their stories with a wider audience.
Since then, the South Georgia Museum has been busy collecting hundreds of stories, photographs and memorabilia from the former whaling communities – the response has been amazing.
But we want to make sure we tell these stories in a way that captures everyone’s imagination. Presenting stories in a way the former whaling communities want to see, but also in a way that appeals to a wider audience so they can understand this important slice of Scottish social history.
That is why we are putting out a call for anyone who wants to join us either for a short workshop or just drop in and find out more and give us your thoughts.
Over the weekend of 22 and 23 June there are a number of opportunities to join in and help us through a range of workshops and drop-in sessions that are taking place.
Saturday 22 June – we will be at The Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine. We will be running a workshop from 10.30am until 12.00 which we are encouraging people to book onto. We will also be running a drop-in session for general visitors to the museum from 2-4pm.
Sunday 23 June – we will be at The Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther. We will be running a workshop from 11.00am until 12.30 which we are encouraging people to book onto. We will also be running a drop-in session for general visitors to the museum from 1.30-3.30pm.
Each workshop will last about an hour and a half and we would welcome any former whalers and their families to come along, bring any memories or stories you want to share but, most importantly, be happy to help us shape our early thoughts and ideas on the Memory Bank.
But you don’t need to have had any association with whaling to join in. We are really looking forward to getting input and feedback from the general public so you can also either book onto one of the workshops or come and join us anytime during the drop-in sessions over the weekend should you be at either of the museums.
To book onto a workshop on either Saturday 22 or Sunday 23 May email memorybank@sght.org or just drop in if you want to join us for a more casual chat at the drop-in sessions.
Please note there is an entrance fee for both museums. Workshop attendance is free, but if you wish to visit the rest of the museum once it is ended there will be a reduced entrance fee of £4 for the Scottish Maritime Museum and £5 for the Scottish Fisheries Museum.
Helen Balfour, Community Engagement Officer for the Memory Bank said:“The story of modern whaling in the Southern Hemisphere is a controversial one with British companies playing a key role in the industry.
“These companies had a largely Scottish workforce, with many from Shetland. Now, only a dwindling number of men survive that have first-hand memories of this industry, an integral part of Scottish and Shetland’s social history.
“As someone from a family with many connections to whaling, I am conscious that this is story well known to some but not one that is more widely understood or discussed. We don’t only want to delve into the stories of whalers, we want to explore questions such as: why was whaling so important? how did it help power the world between the wars, and what was it like to live, and work from the remote island of South Georgia in the Southern Ocean?
“We have already done some workshops in Shetland in May where we really learnt a lot from whalers, their families and the community. We want to continue that work and hope to see as many people as possible over the weekend of 22 and 23 June to help us shape and tell this hidden piece of Scotland’s social history.”
Linda Fitzpatrick, Head Curator at the Scottish Fisheries Museumwho is also helping with the wider collections management of the project said: “This unique project has many features that resonate with the work we do at the Scottish Fisheries Museum to engage audiences with topics relating to the heritage and development of fishing technologies, including whaling.
“There is no doubt that reflecting on whaling is problematic: it was brutal and exploitative, and few would welcome its return. Nevertheless, the industry was an important feature of Scotland’s industrial development and generated a distinct and vibrant culture.
“This is an important moment, therefore, to reach out to ex-whalers and their communities to capture the living memories of those who took part in the industry and to preserve them for the future.
“We warmly invite anyone with an interest in the subject to come along over the weekend to either museum over the weekend of the 22 and 23 June.”
Police Scotland has agreed a national contract to implement body worn video for frontline officers and staff across Scotland, over the next three years.
Motorola Solutions UK Limited was successful in securing the £13.3m contract and work has already started to design, build and implement this new capability.
The contract includes the purchase of 10,500, Home Office-approved VB400 cameras and supporting back-office systems.
Since taking command in October 2023, Chief Constable Jo Farrell has prioritised body worn video.
The equipment can help to de-escalate incidents, improve public trust in policing and reduce complaints, support officer and staff safety, and bring wider benefits to the criminal justice system.
Deputy Chief Constable Jane Connors said: “The introduction of body worn video will transform policing in Scotland and a national roll-out is a key priority for the Chief Constable.
“Body worn video can significantly enhance public confidence and support officer and public safety by providing effective and transparent evidence of police and public actions.
“Body worn video will also improve the quality of evidence presented in court to deliver faster justice for victims by increasing early guilty pleas and reducing time spent at court for victims, witnesses and police officers.
“We know there is strong public and partner support for body worn video in Scotland and we will continue to explain policing’s use of this important technology, including assurance around data privacy and human rights considerations.
“Appointing a supplier is an important step and we are working at pace with Motorola Solutions to ensure that body worn video is embedded effectively for frontline officers and staff as soon as possible.
“We also want to maximise the benefits of body worn video for the wider criminal justice system to improve efficiencies and experiences for victims and we are working with Motorola and partners to that end.
“This is a complex programme of work, but appointing a supplier is a big step forward and we’ll continue to share details as progress is made.”
A national roll-out of body worn video was a key recommendation of Lady Elish Angiolini’s independent review of police complaints, published in 2020.
Our national public consultation on body worn video received more than 9,000 responses and showed overwhelming support for its introduction, with 81 per cent agreeing that it would increase public confidence in policing.
Chair of the Scottish Police Authority, Martyn Evans, said: “This a welcome development in the project to roll out body worn video to frontline officers as soon as possible.
“This remains a priority for the Authority in terms of the safety of officers, effectiveness of investigations and in building trust and confidence.”
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “I am pleased that the Scottish Government’s record police funding of £1.55 billion for Police Scotland this year has meant that a national contract has been awarded which will introduce body worn video for officers and staff.
“Body worn video can increase public confidence in policing, protect officers’ safety and support the investigation and prosecution of crime, benefitting victims and witnesses and the general public.
“I welcome the Chief Constable’s assurance that the national roll-out is a key priority.”
Motorola Solutions was awarded the contract on the basis of quality and value for money and a range of technical requirements. The new system is anticipated to work smoothly in areas with lower quality network connections, including rural locations, and we are also investing in our network capability to support this.
Mark Schmidl, senior vice president for international sales at Motorola Solutions, said: “We are proud to support Police Scotland with its nationwide deployment of the VB400, an innovative technology solution developed in Scotland, which will play an important role in helping to make communities safer.”
Every frontline uniformed police officer including Special Constables will be expected to wear a video camera on their uniform while on duty and to activate it when using police powers, whether it be a stop and search, an arrest of a suspect or executing a search warrant.
Police staff in custody suites will also use body worn video when interacting with people in custody.
Officers and custody staff will begin using body worn video once the technical infrastructure is established, operational processes embedded, and training is complete.
Body worn video will be rolled out on a phased basis across the country and more details will be announced at a later date.
Comedian Jake Donaldson is partially blind, or partially sighted, depending on your outlook on life, but what’s it really like to be a visually impaired comedian?
With tickets to his four-week stand-up show at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe now available, Jake is keen to dispel misunderstandings about sight loss. “Sometimes people come up to me and say, ‘You’re not actually blind though, are you? That’s just made up for your comedy’. Just because someone isn’t wearing dark glasses and accompanied by a guide dog, it doesn’t mean they’re not visually impaired” he says.
Jake (30) from Newcastle Upon Tyne has been writing and performing comedy since he was a teenager. Having performed previously at the Fringe and at comedy clubs across the UK, his work also includes his 2022 show, ‘Neurotica’ now streaming on Amazon Prime and NextUp.
“I always enjoyed comedy when I was little, and I spent all my pocket money on stand-up DVDs or tickets to see comedians rather than CDs and clothes like most of my friends,” he says. “I joined comedy groups at university, and we performed shows together, I got the bug then and ever since, I’ve been pursuing stand-up.”
This year’s show, ‘Spectacle’ will explore Jake’s sight loss journey. The show will feature a unique use of light and sound to create a sensory experience for audiences. “My eyesight is something that I’ve had to deal with my whole life,” says Jake.
“But it’s now in my 30s that I’m really facing the reality of being visually impaired and what that means for my future. Spectacle feels like a new level of performance for me. I think it will give audiences a new sense of perspective about how they see the world – literally – as well as an hour of laughs.”
Off stage, Jake has been supported by his local Eye Care Liaison Officer (ECLO), a service managed in hospitals across the UK by leading sight loss charity RNIB and other providers. Alongside practical support to help people maintain their independence, they also offer emotional reassurance. Jake adds, “My ECLO has been great, he’s been really instrumental in helping me come to terms with the reality of my sight loss.”
Jake is not the only comedian with sight loss on the comedy circuit, but he is usually the only one on the bill. “It’s rare for multiple visually impaired performers to get booked on the same gig because bookers assume we’ll all be similar,” he says. “In reality, we’re all varied in our styles and kinds of comedy we do.”
And what about venue accessibility?
“In the past, I have been discounted from gigs because the venue was not reachable by public transport, and they automatically assumed I don’t have access to someone who could drive me, but this has thankfully only happened a few times.
“I’m lucky in that, for the most part, I’m usually able to navigate most venues with the sight I do have and my guide cane.
“However, often comedy gigs happen in rooms above pubs or comedy clubs in dark basements which could easily prove difficult for performers in terms of accessibility. The vast majority of bookers and promoters I’ve personally worked with have been super helpful, accommodating and understanding about my access requirements.”
What’s next for Jake?
“Spectacle is a show that I’m incredibly proud of and I can’t wait for audiences to experience it. I want to continue making comedy and sharing it with the wider world. I’m really excited about building my own audience through touring because I love being a comedian. I will continue to push myself out of my comfort zone and create new and exciting shows in the future.”
*Jake’s show, ‘Spectacle‘, is at Just the Tonic – The Mash House (Venue 288) at 6.40pm from 1-11 and 13-25 August 2024.
