The rehearsals for the Scottish Opera Connect production of “The Walk from the Garden” are gathering pace. Glen Cunningham (Adam) and I were there this afternoon.
Scottish Opera through their strong community links have developed a great education programme that sets out to introduce the beauty and artistry of opera to a wider and younger audience. These include visiting schools with touring productions aimed at primary aged children, their “Opera Unwrapped” events providing a sneaky peak into the world behind the scenes of an opera production and finally Scottish Opera’s Connect Company for aspiring 14 to 21 year olds helping through workshops and coaching sessions to improve performing skills and develop a love of this wonderful art form.
Our rehearsals today were in the impressive headquarters for the Scottish Opera in Glasgow which was originally owned by the Institute of Engineers and Shipbuilders and the beautiful stained glass windows around the building have a strong maritime theme.
I’m enjoying every minute of the preparation and as April approaches and the performance dates get closer my excitement surrounding the production grows. There are two operas being presented in the same program, “The Walk From The Garden” and “Dr Ferret’s Bad Medicine Roadshow”. This will be the third full production of Jonathan Dove’s opera “The Walk from the Garden” since it was first commissioned by Ageas Salisbury International Arts Festival.
To see the production listed in the Scottish Opera “What’s On” list is quite a thrill. There are to be three performances, two on Saturday 18th April at 15:30 pm and 19:00 pm and one on Sunday 19th April at 15:30 pm. Tickets are available through the Scottish Opera website.
I cannot believe that the auditions were back in September 2014 as the time has just flown by and there are ten weeks to go which seems like a long time away but I’m sure it will be here in a flash.
Great ! Very nice place , and very nice work ! All the best for you and Opera !!
Thank you Pascal and for your exciting banner I like that it portrays the walk into the unknown darkness.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Always a pleasure to take your hand to new discoveries
You seem to be having a great time up scotland but you are also working very hard to get to where you want to be you put a lot of hard work into it me & tony are comiing up to Tarland in july xx
I had to look Tarland up that’s a long drive for you, if you take a pit stop in Glasgow give me a shout although it depends when in July as I might be home then.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wow what a stunning looking building – another reason to enjoy what you are doing.
They do have some very impressive buildings in Glasgow. I’m very appreciative of all the help and assistance we’re being given by Scottish Opera because neither of us has done anything so big before.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You sound like you’re loving it and that’s great.
I am loving it 🙂 . We were very energetic at this rehearsal, acting out the scenes, I was shattered after three hours but a good tired.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I used to do theater in Connecticut and remember how tiring it was. The only singing I ever did was as Jigger Craigin in Carousel . I can’t imagine your workload
Wish you well ~
Thank you Randall I can use all of those good wishes.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Will send you a bunch more ~ !!!
Very interesting! It sounds like you are having a good time and break a leg (is that correct for a musical performance) with your performances!
Thank you Noelle. In the opera world they use “Toi,Toi,Toi” (pronounced toy toy toy), someone once told me that ‘break a leg’ in this saying means I hope you have to bow a lot after the performance so it’s all good. I absolutely loved your blog post about your moths/larvae in ‘Silence of the Lambs’.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I always loved the rehearsals as much as the performance. That stage where everyone starts to work together and the piece of music takes on a life of its own is so exciting. Enjoy every minute of this experience! Best wishes to you Charlotte!
So do I, I always appreciate the learning opportunity rehearsals present and the people I work with who share so freely their ideas and their suggestions.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Do you need more sessions before the day?
Yes we do, we have one weekend set aside each month, then two in March and after the two week spring break we go into full production rehearsals for a week before show time.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thank you for letting me know how thing goes.
What a lovely building! I think beautiful spaces inspire us. Best of luck with the rehearsals and performance.
They do inspire don’t they, thank you for the good luck wishes I’ll share them with Glen.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I am really looking forward to seeing you perform in April, got my ticket! Can’t wait. Enjoy the experience Charlotte I know you’ll be great xxx
Yay, are you making a weekend of it, I must make up a things to do and see in a weekend in Glasgow for you 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
An exciting project! Of course, if you want a complete sell-out of tickets, perhaps you should adopt the (pre-fall) period costumes! 🙂
Hahaha 🙂 the first thing my parents asked was you are going to be wearing clothes aren’t you? To be honest I don’t know what I’m wearing but it’s a family show ;).
Best wishes
Charlotte
Charlotte, I love your vitality and energy for everything you do. Your excitement is catching, whoopee cannot wait to see your performance on the 18th.xx😉
Brilliant I’m so happy you’re coming up, whoopee!!!!
Best wishes
Charlotte
This is so exciting! Thanks for taking us along for the ride.
It is a ride isn’t it, like going up a really big roller-coaster at the moment 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Congratulations, again. I am happy for you. 🙂
It’s great to have such a project to be involved with I’m happy too 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
I am so excited for you. I did take a quick look at my diary, but there is no way we can get that far North just then. I will be patient.
I love that you checked your diary Hilary that’s lovely thank you. It would be cool to do something down South 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
It’s wonderful that you’re going to be in this production! Such a star!
Thanks Dan it’s a fabulous opportunity. Still twinkling 🌟
Best wishes
Charlotte
Enjoy your young years, they fly by. Great photo of you.
I’m really enjoying myself, making the most of every moment 😊. Glad you like my moody look, do you know how hard it is not to smile when you’ve been trained all your life to 😄😬 he he.
Best wishes
Charlotte