Opera Scotland

'Riveting': a great opportunity to see Scottish Opera's Anthropocene

Posted 28 May 2019

'Historic' is a much misused term. However, there is no doubt that technology is revolutionising the way we can access culture, whether football or opera. Anthropocene, the acclaimed new work commissioned by Scottish Opera from composer Stuart MacRae and librettist Louise Welsh, is now available to watch free on OperaVision. Whether we are young or old, and live in Inverness or Auchtermuchty, this offers an unparalleled opportunity. All we need is access to the Web.

Directed by Matthew Richardson, designed by Samal Blak and conducted by Scottish Opera Music Director Stuart Stratford, Anthropocene had its world premiere in January at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow, and tells the story of an expeditionary team of scientists who become trapped in the frozen Arctic wastelands.

Anthropocene, directed for OperaVision by Jonathan Haswell and produced by Andrew Lockyer, was filmed live at a performance at London’s Hackney Empire. The full performance is available to view worldwide on the free streaming platform from now until 17 November. This is the first time a Scottish Opera production has been featured on OperaVision and is on no account to be missed.

Launched in 2017, OperaVision – curated by Opera Europa, the European association of opera companies and festivals - streams performances from all over the world, allowing viewers to watch productions from the greatest European opera houses in the comfort of their own homes. As well as full-length performances shown with subtitles, it features extracts, interviews and behind the scenes footage. Contemporary music can be particularly challenging so it is hugely helpful to have the opportunity to view a performance than once. Previous generations would almost certainly have thought this wonder no less than science fiction.

Stuart MacRae

Inverness-born MacRae’s work has been performed at the Royal Opera House and Edinburgh International Festival, and by ensembles including Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Hebrides Ensemble. He is currently Composer in Association at Lammermuir Festival.

Louise Welsh

A Professor of Creative Writing at University of Glasgow, Welsh is the author of a number of popular novels including award-winning The Cutting Room and Plague Times Trilogy.

Local to global

Scottish Opera General Director Alex Reedijk said: ‘This film of Anthropocene by OperaVision is a very important first for Scottish Opera. Performing at Hackney Empire was a double win for us, as it brought Anthropocene to a London audience and, through this film shot there, allows us to introduce this exciting new work to an international audience.’ 

Nicholas Payne, Opera Europa Director said: ‘Anthropocene grabbed me from the start and held me throughout with the twists and changes of its riveting story.  Chilling!’

For more information including cast details, see here. This was one of the final performances from the run so the quality should be impressive.

To watch the streaming in your own time, follow the link to Anthropocene here https://operavision.eu/en