Dido and Aeneas 2018Ayrshire Opera Experience
Read more about the opera Dido and Aeneas
On offer - a fantastic opportunity to attend a FREE taster session working on sections from a new Gaelic and Scots Language version of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas.
This taster is open to anyone who is interested in being involved in the Scots Opera Project’s summer opera course (5th - 11th of August).
It offers a fun, informal and relaxed session focusing on singing and performing opera in both Gaelic and Scots Languages.
You will have the chance to receive special vocal and language coaching from our translator Dr Michael Dempster and Singer, Vocal Coach & Director David Douglas.
Dr Michael Dempster
Michael, a Scots language consultant and teacher, is also a researcher into the processing of rhythm in language and music. He explains:
“I am fascinated by our human abilities to communicate ideas, thoughts and emotions, particularly through spoken language and music. I have been fortunate enough to work as a teacher, professional communicator and a researcher in the psychology and neuroscience of communication.
I am also fortunate to have grown up speaking quite broad Scots at home and English in education and work. Speaking English has given me access to a world of knowledge and speaking Scots has given me a love of spoken language and the linguistic awareness to develop a deep understanding of both languages.
Over the past year I have been bringing together this knowledge along with academic research in order to produce a book which explores and simplifies the complexities of the Scots and English language systems in Scotland. 'Mind yer Language?' is relevant to both academic and general readers.”
David Douglas
Ayrshire tenor, David Douglas trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and the Royal Northern College of Music.
He has gained considerable experience performing for some of the World's most prestigious companies including: Les Arts Florissants, Glyndbourne Festival Opera, English National Opera, Dartington Advanced Opera, The Britten Pears Young Artist Program, The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, The Dunedin Consort and Opera North.
David enjoys taking a lead role in community music and outreach projects. He piloted the Singing Doctors project for Welsh National Opera and formed the arts organisations, Ayrshire Opera Experience and The Scots Opera Project.
David's roots are in Scottish traditional music which he performs regularly, recently releasing the album 'The Sweetest Hours, songs by Robert Burns'. Traditional performance highlights include: A Scottish Journey at the Royal Northern College of Music, The Red Lion Folk Club, St Margaret's Episcopal Church recital series, Folk for Folk Festival, Burns Meets the American Song Book and Burns to Bernstein (Robert Burns Birthplace Museum), Burns Aflame and headlining the 2014, 2015 and 2016 Alloway Sessions.
To reserve your space please email scotsoperaproject@gmail.com.
