On Wednesday this week I traveled back up to Glasgow so that I could start rehearsals on Friday 22nd July as a soloist for the Scottish Opera Connect Company. It was wonderful to meet up with the current members of the Company at the rehearsal space at Elmbank Crescent and start the preparations for Sunday’s performance.
This year they have been asked to showcase their work during the opening ceremony of the 32nd World Conference of the International Society for Music Education. The event is taking place at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall tonight ( Sunday 24th July 2016 ) at 18:30 pm. It is a fabulous venue, and I am thrilled to performing here again as part of such a fabulous occasion.
Scottish Opera Connect Company comprises of the Connect Chorus, the Connect Orchestra, and Connect Stage management, which all provide valuable experience for young people between the ages of 14 and 21 in all aspects of Opera. It is a fantastic program and one that I have been proud to be associated with. For this event, they are showcasing the work that they do by performing a 15-minute excerpt from Scottish Opera’s “Cabinet of Doctor Caligari”.
The production was commissioned by Scottish Opera for the Connect Company and composed by Karen MacIver and librettist Allan Dunn. The story, based on the 1920’s German silent horror movie “Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari”, relates a tale of murder, intrigue, and mayhem.

The whole production brought enthusiastically to life by the conductor, Chris Gray, and the director Julie Brown has been a wonderful experience to be a part of, and it has been a pleasure to work with them again. The professionalism that they bring to these productions provides the members of the Connect Company a real taste of what it would be like to take to the stage as a professional performer. Being asked to perform as a professional soloist alongside so many talented and enthusiastic young performers from the Connect Company has been an experience that I will cherish forever, and I will always be grateful to Scottish Opera for allowing me to be a small part of this empowering educational project.
Here are some pictures with the members of the Connect Company.
With the staff backstage, Rose Ann, Laura McIntosh and in the bottom picture Jodie Mitchell with me and Sophie Holloway
Here a couple of pictures whilst we were on stage performing this evening taken by Ankna Arokiam 🙂
I found out today that Nicky Spence, a patron of the Connect Company, set out from Glasgow on a sponsored cycle ride to London in aid of Help Musicians UK who carry out such tremendous work in helping to provide much-needed funding to selected musicians to assist in their studies and professional development.
Congratulations, Charlotte. Must have been wonderful.
Thanks John it was very enjoyable a real buzz.
Best wishes
Charlotte
🙂
Sounds like you all had great fun, what a wonderful opportunity, and to be able to partake in a new work,and help others at the same time, sounds like paradise. Enjoy the rest of your holiday. Best wishes and blessings, Charles.
Thank you Charles, I’m working right up till September trying to save hard for the courses I need to take to progress.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Hope that you can get the funds together in time, and try and enjoy the warmth and a bit of free time before studies begin. I used to go to the College of music quite often, as pre-prom talks were often held there, and I used to attend proms often. Stay well and best wishes Charles.
What great fun this must have been and I hope all went well this evening! I loved the photos!
Best wishes, Clare.
Thanks Clare I was pleased with how the photos came out.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Beautiful performance as well as photos. May the Lord continue to bless you richly Charlotte, is my prayer in Jesus name Amen!
Thank you I appreciate you thinking of me :).
Best wishes
Charlotte
Sounds like a bit like Jekyll and Hyde. Love the costumes!
Yes it does, I thought a bit like the Shutter Island story too. I just love dressing up.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Hi Charlotte, love the energy and the photos. Keep up the great work, Darlene
Thank you Darlene, I had a day of dance rehearsals yesterday really exhausting but brilliant.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Ooh, I can feel the goose bumps… I thought I recognized the title, or a portion of it, when i saw your post title. How remarkable that it was adapted into the form of an opera. Love that you are getting to experience such a variety of musical presentations. What an education you are receiving. And of course, there is always the joy those who are able to see you perform, experience. Win/win!! <3
Definately win, win. I think there were nearly 3000 people in the audience really thrilling a great atmosphere.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Lovely photos of a memorable opera – thank you for sharing, Enjoy all these wonderful experiences. 😀 Xo
Thanks Janice I’m learning so much from the preparation of each one.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Dear Charlotte you all look stunning and so very content! Best Wishes from USA Cheryl xx
Thank you Cheryl, I’ve got a busy August it’s come around so fast!
Best wishes
Charlotte x
All the best to you this August!!! xx
So awesome. I wish I could attend.
I wish you could see me live too Dan – one day hopefully 🙂
best wishes
Charlotte
That is pretty cool!
It also proves that you should never let any scientist talk you into being injected with any untested serums nor should you let yourself be hypnotized during dubious circumstances!
I agree, great for a story though.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Well done Charlotte, lovely photos, it looks like it was a great performance. Xx
I’d have loved to do the full show, I saw it live in April and really enjoyed it.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Fabulous photo’s Charlotte, love the costumes.
I hope it went well last night.xx
I think it did, we had good feedback from the Scottish Opera Connect team so that’s good.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Congrats Charlotte – Nice work, nice share, nice to se you !
Very proud of you !
All the best for you always !
Merci Pascal, all the best for you too. Prends garde a toi!
Best wishes
Charlotte
🙂 Merci Charlotte
As a fan of the original film, this was an interesting post.
A marvelous flick, isn’t it, especially for something shot over 95 years ago?
It’s terrific.
I must watch the original film, I think our score and the adaptation was brilliant, quite dark.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Those are such fantastic photos Charlotte, you look beautiful. Somehow, every time I return here to your blog, there is something that takes my breath away with all your activities and this time, “a soloist for the Scottish Opera Connect Company” ~ incredible and congratulations. You are definitely making this the “Summer of Charlotte”. Wishing you well and keep it going 🙂
Thank you Randall 🙂 I have a second commission this week I try to keep busy then I’m back in Germany after a short trip earlier this week. Trying to stay on track.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I’ve watched the movie on YouTube. It’s still worth watching. A wonderful idea to adapt it for opera!
It’s great it is on You Tube thanks for letting me know. I think it was a great idea to adapt too. So happy to be involved.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Good old Calgari. What lies in there? Only the shadow knows. Wonderful to support your Alma Mata.
Thank you Dianne, this is the second time I got to work with Glen and the whole team which is always great fun.
best wishes
Charlotte
Looks like a great production. I enjoyed the photos.
Great to be asked to step in, loved the costumes and working with the connect company again.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Murder, intrigue and mayhem in fifteen minutes – that’s opera for you!
Exactly! That’s what I love about it, no two productions are the same.
Best wishes
Charlottr
Welcome Back. You see, Glasgow has gotten to you and you can’t stay away The photographs were great and as usual, everyone looks like they are enjoying things.
😊 I’ll be to and fro for a while I think John.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Congratulations on the play!! It sounds so exciting 😀 lovely pics with all your co actors 🙂
Best wishes
Thanks Mithai, I love cast photos not always the easiest to get when everyone’s so busy. Hope you’re well.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Congratulations, Charlotte! What an interesting production! I’m so glad to see you having so much fun…
Thank you Noelle, I like these short operas so much packed in, very intense.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Fabulous!!!
Honestly, you are the most gorgeous looking person.
This is not a rare incident. Your vivacity is desirable. – Resa x