Scottish Opera (SO) is welcoming 15 young performers from the National Opera Studio (NOS) who hail from Ukraine, Latvia, South Africa, America, Korea as well as the UK, for a week long residency in Glasgow that will culminate in a performance at Theatre Royal Glasgow entitled Anarchy at the Opera.
Because of the pandemic, this is the first time since 2019 that the residency has been able to take place during a partnership that spans 45 years.
The 15 young performers, made up of 11 singers and 4 pianists, will spend the week working with SO music staff to rehearse their repertoire, before performing with the Orchestra of Scottish Opera conducted by Head of Music, Derek Clark.
The performance takes place on the set of Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream which is currently in rehearsal at SO. Audiences can look forward to an energetic performance in a programme that includes works by Rossini, Handel, Poulenc, Shostakovich, Offenbach and more.
Director Emma Jenkins said “This year, the young artists will explore the theme of ‘Absurdism’ through the medium of some of the most anarchic and off-the-wall pieces in the operatic repertoire. The event will be very much an ensemble effort testing their physical skills as well as their vocal prowess. From Les Mamelles des Tirésiasto Alcina, from Cheryomushki to Le Roi Carotte, the audience can look forward to a thrilling evening of anarchy and mirth.”
Chief Executive of the National Opera Studio, Emily Gottlieb, said “We are delighted to return to Scottish Opera this year, working in partnership for nearly 45 years to deliver our internationally renowned training programme to exceptional young singers and repetiteurs. To have the opportunity to work with international artists such as Music Director Stuart Stratford, director Emma Jenkins and The Orchestra of Scottish Opera, and present our Young Artists on the stage of Theatre Royal Glasgow, is absolutely invaluable.”
NOS offers intensive and bespoke professional training for the next generation of opera stars. NOS alumni include Gerald Finley, Alfie Boe, Lesley Garrett, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Nicky Spence, who is also the Patron of Scottish Opera Young Company.
NOS Young Artists are:
Alexandra Chernenko (soprano); Inna Husieva (soprano); Laura Lolita Perešivana (soprano); Joanna Harries (mezzo-soprano); Shakira Tsindos (mezzo-soprano); Siân Griffiths (mezzo-soprano); Logan Lopez Gonzalez (countertenor); Monwabisi Lindi (tenor); Philip Clieve (tenor); Josef Ahn (baritone); Kamohelo Tsotetsi (baritone)
Repetiteurs : Alexsander Ribeiro de Lara; Chloe Kim; Elli Welsh ; ’Nadia Kisseleva
NOS at Scottish Opera: Anarchy at the Opera
Friday 25th February at 6pm at the Theatre Royal Glasgow
Tickets are on sale now at www.scottishopera.org.uk/shows/national-opera-studio-2022/
NOS at Scottish Opera: Anarchy at the Opera is supported by Scottish Opera Endowment Trust.
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 