Scottish Opera new season

Scottish Opera's 2009/10 continues what seems to be the company's revival. They start with a revival of Giles Havergal's 1994 production fo The Elixir of Love with Elena Xanthoudakis and Edgaras Montvidas as Adina and Nemorino.

Then a new production of Rossini's Italian Girl in Algiers with Karen Kargill as Isabella, Thomas Walker as Lindoro and Tiziano Bracci (his UK Debut) as Mustafa. The production is conducted by Scottish Opera's new musical director Francesco Corti and directed by Colin McColl. Francesco Corti is also conducting the revival of Stewart Lang's 2004 production of La Boheme.

Then the new production of The Adventures of Mr. Broucek makes its appearance, in a co-production with Opera North. Cast and conductor are the same as for the Opera North performances of the production. The inclusion of this opera is interesting as I don't think it appeared in Scottish Opera's Janacek cycle in the 1970's and 1980's. They are also touring a small scale production of Katya Kabanova

They are finishing of with a further group of new commissions in Five:15 - Opera Made in Scotland. This is the 3rd time that they have done this and I do hope that one of the smaller operas will be leading to a full scale commission.

This is not the most exciting season on earth, but within their chosen economic confines Scottish Opera have managed to put together a group of operas which mix the tried and tested with the more unusual.