Opera Scotland

Berwick Festival Opera

Posted 7 Jul 2014

Only three miles over the border, an intriguing experiment is about to take place.

Under the direction of Matthew Rooke, chief executive and artistic director of the Maltings Theatre in Berwick-upon-Tweed, this summer will see the launch of a small scale opera festival.

Over two weekends, a number of performances are to be given in the atmospheric Guildhall.  These will be tailored to limited resources. On Friday 18 July, Rocket Opera with Sax Ecosse are to offer Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. They follow with two performances of Sullivan's operetta Pirates of Penzance on Sunday 20 July at 2pm and 7.30pm.

On Friday 22 August, a new company, Opera dei Lumi, conducted by Peter Keenan, offers Mozart's timeless dramatic comedy Così fan tutte. They are then to take this production of Cosi to Edinburgh for a performance in St Mary's Cathedral, Palmerston Place on 26 August.

Finally, on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August, two performances are being given of the first Act of Wagner's great work Valkyrie, followed by his Siegfried Idyll.  The forces used are drawn from the Hebrides Ensemble and the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland.  Head for the Maltings website and book here.