issue 09. - Scottish Opera

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Double Delight at GlyndebourneThe 2012 trip to Glyndebourne provedso popular with Friends, writes Jean Reid,that all 30 places were filled within daysof publication of the offer, leaving manyhopefuls on the waiting list.Luckily our agent, Grosvenor Travel,was able to book more tickets for theoperas and offer a second trip whichadded another 30 to the party, this timehoused in the Edwardian Cavendish Hoteloverlooking the splendid promenadeat Eastbourne rather than the regularfavourite, Deans Place at Alfriston.Both groups arrived on a glorious Octoberday, but next day the weather broke tothe severe disadvantage of the originalparty who were due to visit the famousVita Sackville-West gardens at Sissinghurst.Meanwhile, group two found the overcastatmosphere more suited to their visit toBodiam Castle, a genuine 14th-centurysurvivor well described by costumedguides.Next day the clouds had gone and thegroups swapped visits, although thefirst group opted for Brighton Pavilionand staying indoors instead! On the lastday there was time for independentsightseeing.Apart from the chance to see theGlyndebourne on Tour Company at home,the main attraction of the trip was probablya rare production of Dvořák’s Rusalka.Not all the special effects were totallyconvincing, but there was wonderful use oflighting to suggest the fantasy atmosphereand a spectacular fashion parade for theballroom scene, plus a moving account ofThe Song to the Moon.Next evening we were back on familiarground with a new production of TheMarriage of Figaro set in the Spain ofthe late 1960s. Despite a lively, youthfulcast, the relationships didn’t alwaysconvince, though the final scene ofmisunderstandings was considerablyclearer and funnier than usual.Three reasons to try a holiday with the Friends ...1 See and hear great opera performances2 Visit interesting cities and attractions3 Make new opera friendsAs Chair of the Friends Holiday Committee,writes May Ferries, it’s frustrating not tobe able to go on all the trips, becausethey are always such great fun. Personalhighlights from previous holidays have beensuperb productions of Don Pasquale atGlyndebourne, and From the House of theDead and an unusual Carmen in Leeds. I’vealso had the opportunity to see Rex Whistler’sfantastic mural at Plas Newydd on Anglesey,the gardens at Harewood House and ‘MrDarcy’s house’, aka Lyme Park, in Cheshire.I must also recommend the joys of Buxtonand its annual opera festival. I’ve been fouryears in a row to the beautiful theatre there,enjoyed many opera rarities, visited lovelyproperties in the wonderful Derbyshirecountryside and explored the delights of thetown itself – and there’s a book festival too!comfortable they feel to be in a group,particularly if they are unfamiliar with theholiday destination. Many fascinatingdiscussions take place about the operaswe see: often there is unanimity but it’sactually more fun when there’s a division ofopinion! The places we visit provide morefood for conversation.And then, when you get home you findyourself bumping into your new operafriends at Scottish Opera performancesand Friends events, at other concerts –and on subsequent Friends holidays.Some people hit it off so well they evenarrange to meet outwith Scottish Operaactivities.So do take a look at the enclosed leafletsabout our latest holidays and considergiving a Friends trip a try – we look forwardto seeing you!I hadn’t appreciated what a lot of pleasurethere is to be had in spending time withnew people. My initial decision to go on aFriends trip was based on the destinationand the operas, but the company provedto be a bonus. A number of people comeon their own and comment on howLeft to right: Russell Duncan, Liz Vann, Ian Szymanski and Archie Wightman at Alfriston. © Janet Hilder20 Brio Issue 09 Spring 2013 scottishopera.org.uk
Friends of Scottish Opera Groups & BranchesEvents are arranged so that you can meet other opera-lovers and to help you get the most out of Scottish Opera’s performances.Remember that as a Friend or Patron, you can attend any event listed below – not just those in your area.Angus Opera GroupAngus Opera Group meetings take place at 2.30pm in Edzell Church Hall on the 1st Sunday of every month from October to May. Forfurther information please contact Mrs Margaret Taylor (Secretary), Lundie Home Farm Cottage, Menmuir, Brechin DD9 7QW, telephone01356 647351, e-mail margaret@lundiecottage.wanadoo.co.uk.Sunday 3 February 2013Sunday 3 March 2013Sunday 7 April 2013Sunday 5 May 2013Dumfries & Galloway branchBuilding a DVD library – OtelloThe Story of Opera, Olive Duncan: number 4 – Grand OperaMonteverdi’s OperasAGM and Bartók’s Bluebeard’s CastleTrips to matinee performances at the Theatre Royal Glasgow. Coach leaves from Dumfries with various other stops. To book please contactAnne Higgins on 0141 242 0599 (office hours) or e-mail anne.higgins@scottishopera.org.uk.Saturday 18 May 2013Other events:Tuesday 12 March 2013Forth Valley branchCoach trip to 2.30pm matinee of The Pirates of Penzancereception before La traviata at Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries. Tickets £10 fromAnne Higgins as aboveForth Valley Branch meetings take place monthly at 2.30pm in the Smith Art Gallery and Museum, Stirling (except the Spring Lunch)from September to April. Entrance £5 (£6 guests, £1 students). For further details contact Elise Macrae on 01786 822128 or e-mailmacraefernbank@btinternet.com and for coach bookings contact Margaret Inall on 01786 474260 or e-mail maggie.inall@btinternet.com.Sunday 10 February 2013Sunday 10 March 2013Sunday 7 April 2013Sunday 21 April 2013Coach transport to the Theatre Royal Glasgow for the following performances:Grampian branchFriday evening 25 January 2013Sunday matinee 17 February 2013Tuesday evening 9 April 2013Saturday matinee 18 May 2013Travels with my Voice – Sasha AlexanderThe Flying Dutchman – Derek WatsonSpring Lunch at the Management Centre, Stirling University (12.30pm for 1pm)AGM and The Pirates of Penzance – Scottish Opera’s Head of Music Derek ClarkA Midsummer Night’s DreamWertherThe Flying DutchmanThe Pirates of PenzanceGrampian branch meetings take place monthly at 7.30pm on Wednesday evenings at Rubislaw Church Centre as below. For furtherinformation contact Jennifer Risk on 01224 586972.Wednesday 23 January 2013Wednesday 27 February 2013Wednesday 27 March 2013 at 8pmWednesday 24 April 2013Wednesday 22 May 2013Dr Myra Soutar on Massenet’s WertherMembers’ NightMussorgsky v Tchaikovsky with Alan Cooper and Ian McLennanrecital by Shuna Scott Sendall and Marie Claire Breen (sopranos)AGMHighland GroupFriday 7 June 2013Study event on The Pirates of Penzance in collaboration with NADFAS. To book,contact Jennifer Kerr on 01343 835258 or e-mail jennifer.kerr@btinternet.com.Lothian & Borders branchLothian & Borders branch meetings are held monthly on Saturdays at 2.30pm in the Founders Room at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre –entrance directly into the Founders Room from the south side of the theatre, near to the stage door. Admission £5, including tea/coffeeand biscuits. For further details contact Ian Hogarth, 9 Blinkbonny Road, Edinburgh EH4 3HY on 0131 332 1503 or Christine Lumsden on0131 337 3644 or e-mail christinaclumsden@gmail.com.Listings continue overleafscottishopera.org.uk Brio Issue 09 Spring 201321
Page 6: Museo Nazionale di San Martino, Nap
Page 10 and 11: 50th Anniversary - Become a PatronO
Page 12 and 13: AerialO makes Return FlightFriendsh
Page 14 and 15: Q&A …Jonathon Swinard is Scottish
Page 16 and 17: What the Papers Said …The Magic F
Page 18 and 19: The Elephant AngelhhhhhThe Heraldhh
Page 22 and 23: Saturday 9 February 2013Saturday 9
Page 24: MASSENET’SA MAN IN LOVE | A MAN O

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