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OPERA SCOTTISH OPERA: RUSALKA Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Tue 5, Thu 7, Sat 9 Apr; Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Thu 14 & Sat 16 Apr
There’s an abundance of excitement in the air for Scottish Opera just now. The Devil Inside, the company’s new opera written by Stuart MacRae and Louise Welsh and first seen in January, is receiving serious critical acclaim, while coming up is the first opera to be conducted by new music director, Stuart Stratford. The fact that it’s Dvo(cid:0)ák’s Rusalka merely adds to the excitement. Czech repertoire is very dear to Stratford’s heart and this
particular opera is one on which he’s especially keen. ‘It’s a fantastic piece, close to Hans Christian Andersen’s tale, The Little Mermaid,’ he explains. While definitely pre- Disneyfication, it does, however, explore what it is to be human. ‘It is the character of the mermaid, Rusalka, who appears to have the most human characteristics,’ says Stratford. ‘In terms of psychology, the subtext is about jealousy and deceit, stealing someone else’s woman. Or you can look at it as stealing someone else’s fish. The themes are universal and just as relevant today as when it was first composed.’
Stratford is also thrilled with his cast. The French soprano Anne Sophie Duprels is someone with whom he has previously collaborated on Czech opera and he’ll be working with her again just as soon as Rusalka is finished. ‘She is one of the most touching, tender actresses,’ he says, ‘with an amazing, heart-breaking ability to reach out to people.’
Welsh soprano Natalya Romaniw as the Princess is a name to watch out for, with much-loved Sir Willard White in the merman role of Rusalka’s father. The music is typically Dvo(cid:0)ák, with colourful folk tunes and Czech melodies, the most well-known being Rusalka’s ‘Song to the Moon’. It’s early days to announce Stratford’s future plans for Scottish Opera, but he even sounds excited while keeping quiet about them. (Carol Main)
CLASSICAL HIGHLIGHTS
HITLIST GLASGOW
SCOTTISH OPERA: ARIODANTE Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Tue 16, Thu 18, Sat 20 Feb, atgtickets.com Director and designer team Harry Fehr and Yannis Thavoris return to Handel after the spectacular success of their Orlando in 2011. Conductor Nicholas Kraemer is somewhat unbelievably making his Scottish opera debut. Also Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Wed 24 & Sat 27 Feb, edtheatres.com
RSNO: OUNDJIAN CONDUCTS THE SEA Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Fri 19 Feb, usherhall.co.uk A source of inspiration to writers and composers, the sea in its many aspects is heard in Vaughan Williams’ visionary choral symphony, one of the first British symphonies where a choir is used. Also Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, Sat 20 Feb, glasgowconcerthalls.com
BBC TEN PIECES LIVE WITH THE BBC SSO City Halls, Sun 7 Feb, glasgowconcerthalls.com The BBC’s Ten Pieces project is designed to get children and young people on board with classical orchestral music. See preview, page 67.
BBC SSO: RUNNICLES CONDUCTS THE ‘PASTORAL’ SYMPHONY City Halls, Glasgow, Thu 3 Mar, glasgowconcerthalls.com Programme featuring the shimmering impressionism of Debussy and his Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, and continuing the nature theme in Beethoven’s much loved ‘Pastoral’ Symphony. Much less well known is Sir James MacMillan’s Violin Concerto, dedicated to the memory of his mother and receiving its Scottish premiere with the great violinist it was written for, Vadim Repin. EDINBURGH
SUSAN TOMES & ERICH HÖBARTH The Queen's Hall, Mon 15 Feb, thequeenshall.net Edinburgh,
pianist Susan Tomes appears with her Austrian chamber music partner, Erich Höbarth (leader of Quatuor Mosaiques), playing an all Schubert programme, including the rarely performed, virtuosic Fantasie.
JACK LIEBECK AND KATYA APEKISHEVA The Queen's Hall, Mon 29 Feb, thequeenshall.net Always a joy to hear Classical Brit winner Jack Liebeck’s violin playing, especially in such a fascinating programme with chunky Brahms, lyrical Debussy and the less familiar music of New York born composer, John Corigliano. And Liebeck returns to Scotland to play the Bruch Violin Concerto with Edinburgh Youth Orchestra on 2 (RCS, Glasgow) and 3 (Usher Hall, Edinburgh) April, so no excuses for not catching him while he’s here.
SCOTTISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA: BRAHMS SYMPHONY NO 4 Usher Hall, Thu 10 Mar, usherhall. co.uk The SCO’s spotlight on Brahms continues, and with Robin Ticciati leading its direction, it is a revelatory exposition. But it won’t be the only highlight in this concert programme, with stunning Russian
born violinist Alina Ibragimova bringing new perspective to Schumann’s Violin Concerto, a piece which history has tended to deny due recognition. Also City Halls, Glasgow, Fri 11 Mar, glasgowconcerthalls.com
LUDOVICO EINAUDI Usher Hall, Sun 20 Mar, usherhall. co.uk He’s not everybody’s cup of tea, or even glass of prosecco, but the Italian pianist is undoubtedly popular. His digital following means that he is the most streamed classical artist in the UK. Einaudi hits the road for a March tour of the UK to promote his latest album, Elements.
METROPOLITAN OPERA: MADAMA BUTTERFLY Cameo Cinema, Sat 2 Apr, picturehouses.com There is nothing like opera at the Met, but the next best thing is opera from the Met. See it on the big screen closer to home and appreciate the close- ups of the singers, their costumes, their expressions, their voices. First seen in 2006, Anthony Minghella’s breathtaking production stars Kristine Opolais in the title role, with Roberto Alagna as the US naval officer who breaks her heart.
4 Feb–7 Apr 2016 THE LIST 83