A Night At The Opera

For many of us, the opera may seem something elite and out of reach, but now the art form is being made more accessible so we can all appreciate its beauty and power

While many of us think nothing of heading out to see the latest play or musical, too few of us consider the opera. Too long? Too boring? Too high-brow?  Though it’s often viewed as the most ‘privileged art form’ a visit to the opera can be a thrilling, electrifying, emotional experience, sharing many of the same elements that make theatre so enjoyable – story-telling, magical music, exquisite dance, and beautifully designed costumes and sets. 

Alex Reedijk, general director of Scottish Opera says, ‘Storytelling is a fundamental human need, and there is nothing that can beat opera as a way of telling the stories that need telling, the stories that help us to understand what it is to be human. The combination of music, singing and drama creates a full experience with unparalleled power to move. At its best it is truly exhilarating.’ 

So, to celebrate its 60th anniversary, Scottish Opera has demonstrated its commitment to dispelling the myth that opera is just for a specific demographic with its opera for babies ‘BambinO, a Pop-Up Opera Tour that visited 60 different locations, bringing their productions to as many communities across Scotland as possible. And not only is opera being made more accessible, it is being used therapeutically too. Breath Cycle, is an online project for people with breathing issues including Long Covid. While Memory Spinners groups meet weekly using music, storytelling, movement and the visual arts, to help those living with dementia. The message is loud and clear, the opera is open for all. 

For those looking to dip their toe in for the first time, this autumn brings an emotionally powerful, visceral opera with both stunning music and dance in the shape of the Scottish premiere and first fully-staged UK production of Ainadamar (meaning ‘The Fountain of Tears’) by Argentinian composer Osvaldo Golijov and American librettist David Henry Hwang, at Theatre Royal Glasgow. 

Exploring the life and work of playwright and poet Federico García Lorca, this new co-production with Opera Ventures, Detroit Opera, The Metropolitan Opera and Welsh National Opera, combines flamenco dance and song and is directed by Olivier Award-winning choreographer and director Deborah Colker. Known for her intensely physical dance work with Cirque du Soleil and the 2016 Olympics Opening Ceremony, as well as her own Companhia de Danca, Deborah is making her highly anticipated opera directorial debut.

Stuart Stratford conducts the internationally celebrated mezzo-soprano Samantha Hankey in the role of Lorca, whose anti-fascist stance and open homosexuality led to his death in 1936 at the hands of Franco’s Nationalists during the Spanish Civil War. 

So, if you want to experience a new, thrilling art form this autumn, look no further… 

Theatre Royal Glasgow 

29 Oct, 2, 5 November, 7.15pm (Audio-described performance with Touch Tour at 6pm)

Pre-show talk, 5 November, 6pm

Festival Theatre Edinburgh 

8, 10, 12 November 2022, 7.15pm (Audio-described performance with Touch Tour at 6pm)

Pre-show talk, 12 November, 6pm