Opera Scotland

Wandering Minstrels

Posted 28 Oct 2013

Wandering Minstrels was the theme of the study day held in London at the Royal Academy of Music on Saturday 26 October.  The focus was touring opera in Britain past and present. There was a strong Celtic presence including Frasers there in number. Iain and Stephen travelled down to London for the event, joining Peter and Andrew for an absorbing day of presentations, questions and networking.  The Opera Scotland team were able to meet and talk to some individuals for the very first time, when previously they had been only names at the end of an email.

Our picture shows keynote speaker Professor Katherine Preston with the bust of Edinburgh-born Euphrosyne Parepa Rosa, the famous soprano and first wife of the great Carl Rosa. Katherine was speaking on the American experience of touring opera, covering in particular the cross-pond influence and the role of the female operatic impresario - the subject of her forthcoming book.

Bringing opera access up to the present day, John Holmes of English Touring Opera (ETO) and Karen Wise of Guildhall School of Music described their current research into the motivations of opera fans who attend live relays in cinemas.

All in all, a hugely stimulating day.