Breathe Freely 2013Chemistry Opera
Read more about the opera Breathe Freely
Scottish composer Julian Wagstaff's new opera was performed in a semi-staged concert version by professional singers and musicians.
The work is scored for an instrumental trio of clarinet (Pete Furniss), celllo (Su-a Lee), and piano (Andrew Johnston). The opera was preceeded by Julian Wagstaff's trio "A Persistent Illusion" for clarinet, cello and piano. The evening lasted an hour and a half, performed without an interval.
Generous support was given by Scottish Opera, whose Head of Music, Derek Clark,with his extensive experience of new music, conducted. Veteran Scottish tenor Nigel Robson, who sings here infrequently, was a welcome visitor, joining two accomplished younger singers who were trained here.
Performance Cast
- Professor James Kendall Head of the Department of Chemistry, an expert on gas warfare
- Lieut Dr Stanislaw Hempel a Polish chemist and military officer
- Dr Christina Miller Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, a leading chemical researcher