Scottish Opera prepares for a Russian first

The first ever performance of Rachmaninov on the Scottish Opera stage, and the Scottish premiere of Francesca da Rimini, are taking place soon. The 2017/18 Sunday Series: Opera in Concert concludes on 6 May at 3pm at Theatre Royal Glasgow with a Rachmaninov double bill of Aleko and Francesca da Rimini. Scottish Opera’s music director…

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The curtain is rising across the Scottish capital

Adaptations of 80s musical movies, hits from the 50s and 60s and classical music are just some of the events happening in Edinburgh this week. The Play that Goes Wrong, until March 17, Festival Theatre. The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are putting on a 1920s murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can…

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Peter and the Wolf gets a special Scottish makeover for the jazz orchestra

A traditional story has been given a Scots makeover, for the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. They will perform Liz Lochhead’s take on Peter and the Wolf (orchestrated by Tommy Smith) and The Carnival of the Animals (orchestrated by Makoto Ozone). This month, virtuoso pianist Makoto Ozone and leading Scots actor Tam Dean Burn join the…

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Raise a dram to Glasgow’s second National Whisky Festival this Saturday

The National Whisky Festival is returning to Glasgow this weekend. Run in partnership with Celtic Connections, this unique tasting festival blends the world of whisky with the best in Scottish culture: featuring makers of whisky-related crafts, home-ware and artwork, an impressive programme of live music and food from popular local haunts. This will take place…

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Celtic Connections hits its silver anniversary with a host of stars

Britain’s biggest winter music festival of its kind is being held in Glasgow – and it’s just under a fortnight away. Celtic Connections celebrates its 25th anniversary with an exciting and ambitious line-up of musicians from all corners of the world, showcasing the best talent in folk, world and jazz music. Descending on Glasgow between…

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Edinburgh’s Hogmanay will have Scots traditions at its heart

Distinctly Scottish traditions will be at the heart of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party. From the moment revellers arrive at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay front doors on 31 December it will be clear that this year is different – traditional tenement doors will give way to acrobats greeting those arriving. Step inside and giant granny puppets over three…

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Scottish musical heroes join forces for dementia charity fundraiser

Some big names from Scotland’s music scene are joining forces for an intimate concert to benefit ground-breaking research into dementia. Deacon Blue’s Ricky Ross will join Del Amitri’s Justin Currie, with former Danny Wilson singer Gary Clark completing the all-star line-up. The one-off performance, entitled Songs in the Round, will take place on 29 April…

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Scottish student will be strum-thing special in Norway

A Scottish student is to perform in The Nutcracker with Bergen Philharmonic later this month. Former Highland pupil Abigail Millar-Todd is currently studying at the Norwegian Academy of Music. Abigail said: ‘If it weren’t for The Highland Council, I would never have started classical music. I began the harp through Feis à Bhaile, then with…

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Performers are honoured at Scots Trad Music Awards

The biggest and best names in Scots trad music were honoured at a glitzy award ceremony in Paisley on Saturday night. The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards celebrated their 15th year in style. Broadcast live on BBC ALBA, BBC Radio Scotland and globally through the BBC ALBA website, the prestigious awards – organised by…

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Time to explore behind the capital’s doors this Christmas

Edinburgh’s free Christmas event 24 Doors of Advent gets underway tomorrow. Running from 1-24 December, audiences have the chance to look behind the doors of Edinburgh venues and organisations, allowing residents and visitors to peep behind usually closed doors throughout the city during advent, including the Scottish Parliament, McEwan Hall and Lady Haig Poppy Factory.…

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