Scotland's first ever opera festival is coming to Dundee later this year, with a truckload of local talent in tow.
Opera Festival Scotland says there is "something for everyone" in its programme of events, which includes highlights of Scottish Opera's recent shows, a history of opera in the country, and live performances of Verdi's Aida and Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. The event is capped off by a competition between four young singers hoping to win the first Opera Festival Scotland Trophy and a £1,500 career grant, among other prizes.
Festival organisers say they strived to make the event as local as possible. The ensemble for Aida - a story of starcrossed lovers set in Ancient Egypt - features Montrose-born Susan McNaught as the lead, and is made up of singers from Tayside Opera, the National Youth Choir of Scotland Dundee and Stonehaven Chorus, among others. The festival also features a singing competition for non-professionals, and public masterclasses.
Michael Jamieson, festival director, said: "A community project like this certainly takes a lot of time and work to put together, but the benefits will be seen. The festival aims to increase footfall and business to Dundee for the duration of that weekend.
"The festival will bring back a much-needed boost for the Opera community, especially as it links in with Tayside Opera, promoting this artform to youth and other community members where opera may not be easily accessed."
Opera in Scotland is enjoying a resurgence after Scottish Opera embarked upon a travelling roadshow in 2021, hosting 200 opera performances from a lorry trailer in locations including Dundee's Slessor Gardens. It is among those supporting the festival, along with local businesses and institutions like the Apex and Malmaison hotels, the University of Dundee and the Caird Hall.
Opera Festival Scotland runs from Thursday September 22 until Sunday September 25 and many of the events are free. For more information and to get tickets visit operafestivalscotland.co.uk.
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