SCOTTISH Opera will open the 50th Perth Festival of the Arts on Thursday.
The festival’s gala opening concert will feature sopranos Eleanor Dennis and Catriona Hewitson, mezzo-sopranos Catriona Morison and Lea Shaw, and baritone Jonathan McGovern.
Scottish mezzo-soprano and winner of the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Catriona Morison is making her debut with Scottish Opera.
They will be conducted by the company’s music director, Stuart Stratford, and accompanied by the Orchestra of Scottish Opera.
The concert will feature excerpts from Bizet’s Carmen, Mozart’s Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute, Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier, Puccini’s Gianni Schicci and Edgar, and Humperdinck’s Hansel & Gretel.
Stratford said: “The five wonderful singers include Jonathan McGovern, who is about to sing the title role in our revival of Don Giovanni.
“He also, along with Catriona Hewitson and Lea Shaw, dazzled critics and audiences in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
“There is so much to look forward to, ranging from instantly recognisable music from The Magic Flute to the sparkling comedy of Der Rosenkavalier.
“It promises to be a really special evening.”
David Brand, chairman of Perth Festival of the Arts, added: “Since 1972, the festival has featured marvelously-talented artists from all over the world and it is entirely appropriate that the splendid orchestra and singers of Scottish Opera are opening our 50th anniversary.
“At our very first festival, Scottish Opera performed both A Midsummer’s Night Dream and Così fan tutte, and we could not envisage a better way to mark the 50-year milestone and ensure a fantastic start to this year’s festival.”
The festival begins on Thursday and runs until 29 May.
As well as opera, it features classical music, folk, jazz, and rock.
Its programme also contains literature, theatre, and visual art.
Don’t miss Megan Amato’s review of Ellen Kent’s Madama Butterfly.
And read more news and reviews on Scottish Field’s music pages.
TAGS
FOLLOW US
