Scottish Opera's spectacular Gondoliers bump starts its new season

By David Smythe, 17 October 2021

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“a perfect choice to entice a still-nervous public back to the opera house”

Reviewed at Theatre Royal, Glasgow on 16 October 2021

Sullivan, The Gondoliers

Scottish Opera

Derek Clark, Conductor

Stuart Maunder, Director

Dick Bird, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Paul Keogan, Lighting Designer

William Morgan, Marco Palmieri

Mark Nathan, Giuseppe Palmieri

Ellie Laugharne, Gianetta

Sioned Gwen Davies, Tessa

Yvonne Howard, The Duchess of Plaza-Toro

Richard Suart, The Duke of Plaza-Toro

Ben McAteer, Don Alhambra del Bolero

Catriona Hewitson, Casilda

Dan Shelvey, Luiz

Isabel Baquero, Choreography

The Orchestra of Scottish Opera

East meets West in Dai Fujikura’s The Great Wave at Scottish Opera

David Smythe, 12th February

Stuart Stratford conducts the world premiere of Fujikura’s opera about Hokusai’s image at Scottish Opera, with Satoshi Miyagi directing with his Japanese creative team.

***11

Sepia memories: Scottish Opera’s La bohème delights in revival

David Smythe, 11th October

Hye-Youn Lee and Mario Chang head a strong cast in Barbe and Doucet’s revival of La bohème, which marks the retirement of veteran lighting designer, Guy Simard.

****1

Lampooning the law: Scottish Opera’s satirical new double bill

David Smythe, 14th May

Scottish Opera’s double bill of Trial by Jury and the world premiere of Toby Hession’s fun-packed A Matter of Misconduct! features an ensemble cast, mostly of Emerging Artists.

****1

Scottish Opera’s Merry Widow tangles with the New York Mafia

David Smythe, 30th April

With misplaced horse heads, violin case guns and as many mafia gags as you could hope for, Scottish Opera’s Merry Widow may not be subtle but it looks and sounds gorgeous.

****1

The Makropulos Affair defies the march of time

Mark Valencia, 15th February

Orla Boylan’s creation oozes charisma and reeks of entitlement, driven to emotional cruelty by the lassitude of a life too-long lived.

****1

Scottish Opera’s Albert Herring: as fresh as dew on a May morning

David Smythe, 22nd October

Scottish Opera’s Albert Herring is updated to 1990 in Daisy Evans' likeable production, finely sung with a tight ensemble.

****1

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David Smythe

David the farmer was drawn into music through choirs, orchestras, taking part in and directing 'serious' opera as a student. Passionate about live classical music, particularly chamber opera, unusual pieces and events and giving the next generation the tools to engage with the classical world.