SCOTTISH OPERAFEATIIBE
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However, the most cast-iron contribution Scottish Opera makes to widening its potential audience is simply in ensuring that the lowest ticket brackets remain affordable. ‘There are more people going to opera than ever before,” affirms Sir Alexander, before adding pragmatically that ‘it will never be anything other than an important minority interest however.’
This assertion will not stop the Scottish Opera quest for a mass audience, although financial deficits constantly hover overhead
It’s a measure that Scotland is a country in its own right that has its own important artistic institutions,
and an opera company is the biggest of those.
like a dagger suspended by a thread. Last season the blade fell and the proposed production of Wagner’s Tristan Und Isolde had to be axed.
While the company’s financial future is never assured, its artistic future has been bolstered by the appointment of Richard Armstrong to the post of Artistic Director, a position he held at Welsh National Opera for many years. He takes over from current encumbent John Mauceri in mid-93, and brings with him a close knowledge ofthe Scottish company, having guest-conducted on numerous occasions.
‘Even people who don’t necessarily come to opera I think perceive the need for a country like Scotland to have an opera company,’ says Richard Jarman ofthe purpose of Scottish Opera. ‘Having a successful opera company is the measure of a thriving and successful country, like having a national orchestra. It‘s a measure that Scotland is a country in its own right that has its own important artistic institutions, and an opera company is the biggest ofthose.’
The Scottish Opera 30th Birthday Royal Gala Concert takes place at Theatre Royal, Glasgow on
un 25.
,4 Billy Budd (1987) - In a memorable SilverJubiIee season, Graham Vick’s
‘ ‘ production of Britten’s Billy Budd was astonishingly powerlul, its effect still iresh and disturbing in the company’s revival earlier this year.
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new productions oi Handel’s Julius Caesar, Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Bellini's Norma and, with only two more chances to see it, Verdi’s II Trovatore. Making his first appearance since the announcement oi his position as musical director from next Spring, Richard Armstrong has been widely praised as conductor.