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.