Five:15 (1)

FIVE: 15 – Operas Made in Scotland (Series One)
The King’s Conjecture; Gesualdo; The Perfect Woman; Dream Angus: The Queens of Govan.

This was the first group of five quarter-hour long mini-operas teaming composers and writers with no previous experience of composing opera, in the hope that the best ones may indicate potential to produce longer works.

Premieres
First performance: Glasgow (Òran Mór), 29 February 2008.
First UK performance: As above.
First performance in Scotland: As above.
Scottish Opera premiere: As above.

THE KING’S CONJECTURE
Music: Gareth Williams
Words: Bernard MacLaverty

Source
Original

Plot Summary
Based on an experiment carried out on the instructions of King James VI – a mute woman and her child are marooned on the Bass Rock, and their development is observed.

GESUALDO
Music: Craig Armstrong
Words: Ian Rankin

Source
Original

Plot Summary
Based on the murder by Gesualdo of his wife and her lover, when caught in flagrante.

THE PERFECT WOMAN
Music: Lyell Cresswell
Words: Ron Butlin

Source
Original

Plot Summary
A humorous take

DREAM ANGUS
Music: Stephen Deazley
Words: Alexander McCall Smith

Source
Original

Plot Summary
A

THE QUEENS OF GOVAN
Music: Nigel Osborne
Words: Wajahat Khan & Suhayl Saadi

Source
Original

Plot Summary
A