Music
Scottish Opera prepares for Il Trittico
Ahead of tomorrow’s performance of Puccini’s Il Trittico, Simone Waters speaks to Scottish Opera designer Charles Edwards. IF DESIGNING the set for one opera is a challenge then designing the set for three operas together is something on a whole different scale. Designer Charles Edwards has been faced with exactly that task as Scottish Opera…
Read MoreRoyal Highland Hoolie adds extra date
AN EXTRA date has been added to the “Royal Highland Hoolie”, a Scottish and Irish music festival running alongside the Royal Highland Show. Musicians will now take to the stage on both Friday 23 and Saturday 24 June. The line-up already includes Derek Ryan, Skerryvore, and Lisa McHugh. Jim Warnock, chairman the Royal Highland &…
Read MoreJoy Dunlop unveils Gaelic solo album
GAELIC singer Joy Dunlop is preparing to release her first solo album in a decade. Dunlop, who also presents the weather for BBC Scotland, will unveil Caoir on 24 March, featuring fresh recordings of traditional Gaelic songs. “I’ve always loved music that pushed the boundaries of what was considered ‘trad’, without losing the soul of…
Read MoreMusic news round-up: folk, funk, and more
Peter Ranscombe orchestrates a round-up of Scottish music news. THE Willow Trio is fusing “classical and Gaelic culture” in its debut album, The Swan of Salen. Released on 17 February, the record will combine Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake with a parallel Gaelic legend, Eala Shàilein. The album provides the backdrop to a cultural project that brings…
Read MoreDundee: ‘Lights! Music! Space!’
A NEW show inspired by space will have its premier in Dundee this spring. The concert – called “The Science Fiction Experience” – will feature an array of visual effects, a bespoke light show, and a professional rock band. Gardyne Theatre will play host to the immersive event, produced by local writer David Darling. The…
Read MoreHarpist Esther Swift unveils Scottish tour
HARP player Esther Swift is preparing to go on a tour of Scotland. Following her sold-out show at last summer’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the composer and singer will begin her tour in the capital on 11 March. She’ll play eight gigs, including at venues in Caithness, North Uist, and Skye. Her tour will end on…
Read MoreCeltic Connections begins
GLASGOW’S Celtic Connections music festival kicks off its 30th season tonight. Around 1,200 musicians will stage 300 events at 25 venues throughout the city during the 18-day festival. Genres represented in the programme include “traditional folk, roots, Americana, jazz, soul, and world music”. Highlights include: Irish six-piece ensemble Notify, which celebrates its 10th anniversary at…
Read MoreNew Highland Clearances podcast and radio series
A NEW podcast and radio series is shining a light on an untold story from the Highland Clearances. Local resident Duncan Mackenzie, Ullapool Book Festival honorary president Chris Dolan, and Ullapool Museum have worked together on Hidden in Plain Sight. The eight-part docu-drama stars a cast of voices including actor David Hayman and broadcaster Mark…
Read MoreFamous farming faces sing ‘Silent Night’
A HOST of famous farming faces have recorded a version of Christmas favourite “Silent Night” to raise spirits this winter. Organisers from the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI) wanted to raise awareness of the potential for loneliness within the Scottish agricultural community. Recording the carol is part of the RSABI’s #KeepTalking campaign to encourage…
Read MoreReview: ‘My Fair Lady’
Megan Amato reviews the musical production of My Fair Lady at the Edinburgh Playhouse theatre. A NIGHT at the theatre always brings a certain level of pomp and flair, but with a traditionally British production like My Fair Lady, the atmosphere almost lends itself to fancy hats and (faux, if preferred) fur stoles. Alas, while…
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