Scottish Opera will take production to the nation

Scottish Opera is to tour 17 venues across the country this autumn.

This September, the hugely popular Opera Highlights tour kicks off with four singers and a pianist journeying to 17 venues the length and breadth of Scotland, from Wick in the north to Dumfries in the south, as well as the Inner and Outer Hebrides.

The autumn tour begins on 20 September in Giffnock before heading to Ayr, Drumnadrochit, Wick, Forres, Ullapool, Stornoway, Portree, Lanark, Helensburgh, Dundee, Inverurie, Laurencekirk, Perth, Dumfries, Musselburgh and St Andrews.

Director Daisy Evans’ Opera Highlights features an operatic playlist from much-loved and lesser-known composers, curated by Scottish Opera’s head of music Derek Clark.

It includes favourites from Mozart and Donizetti linked by new compositions by Scottish Opera Composer in Residence Samuel Bordoli, who was recently nominated in the ‘One to Watch’ category at the Sunday Herald Culture Awards.

Music director/pianist Jonathon Swinard is joined by Scottish Opera Emerging Artist soprano Sofia Troncoso, who will sing the role of Papagena in the Company’s production of The Magic Flute next year; mezzo soprano Sarah Champion; tenor Richard Pinkstone and baritone Dawid Kimberg.

Director Daisy Evans said: ‘This evening of opera highlights conjures drama as the singers take us on a wild journey through betrayal, pain, misplaced love and home truths, revealing the intense world of opera piece by piece.’

Scottish Opera’s general director, Alex Reedijk, added: ‘Touring Scotland has been at the heart of what we do for over 30 years and Opera Highlights is the perfect show to take to smaller and more remote communities around the country as it truly has something for everyone.

‘This combination of wonderful music from across the world of opera, terrific voices and a creative staging by Daisy Evans will ensure that our audiences will have an enjoyable night out!’

This tour is supported by The Friends of Scottish Opera and JTH Charitable Trust.

The cast and creative team comprises: soprano Sofia Troncoso. Mezzo-soprano Sarah Champion. Tenor Richard Pinkstone. Baritone Dawid Kimberg. Music director/pianist Jonathon Swinard. Director Daisy Evans. Composer in Residence Samuel Bordoli (Scottish Opera emerging artist).

The performance schedule is:

Eastwood Park Theatre, Giffnock, Thu 20 Sep, 7.30pm; Gaiety Theatre, Ayr, Sat 22 Sep, 7.30pm; Craigmonie Centre, Drumnadrochit, Tue 25 Sep, 7.30pm; Wick High School, Wick, Thu 27 Sep, 7.30pm. Forres Town Hall, Forres, Sun 30 Sep, 7.30pm; The Macphail Centre, Ullapool, Tue 2 Oct, 7.30pm; An Lanntair, Stornoway, Thu 4 Oct, 7.30pm; Aros Centre, Portree, Sat 6 Oct, 7.30pm; Memorial Hall, Lanark, Tue 9 Oct, 7.30pm; Victoria Hall, Helensburgh, Thu 11 Oct, 7.30pm; Gardyne Theatre, Dundee, Sat 13 Oct, 7.30pm; Inverurie Town Hall, Inverurie, Tue 16 Oct, 7.30pm; Mearns Academy, Laurencekirk, Thu 18 Oct, 7.30pm; Joan Knight Studio, Perth Theatre, Perth, Sat 20 Oct, 7.45pm; Theatre Royal Dumfries, Dumfries, Tue 23 Oct, 7.30pm; The Brunton, Musselburgh. Thu 25 Oct, 7.30pm; The Byre Theatre, St Andrews, Sat 27 Oct, 3pm.

Scottish Opera is Scotland’s national opera company and the largest performing arts organisation in Scotland. It was founded by Alexander Gibson in 1962 and was inaugurated with a production of Madama Butterfly at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow.