It is now twenty years since the Edinburgh Players Opera Group started operations, with its brief to provide local musicians with an opportunity to tackle the major works of Wagner that would not otherwise come their way. Nowadays the players come from far and wide to enjoy the experience, and the repertoire has expanded to embrace large-scale works by Strauss as well as Wagner.
After intensive rehearsals on Friday and Saturday, a complete run through takes place on Sunday, with a cast of professional singers also trying out their parts. The whole enterprise is under the genial control of Mike Thorne.
This is the third time they have tackled the Ring, one work at a time. The big difference this time, of course, is that due to the pandemic three years have passed since Rheingold in 2019.
The principals are largely new (with the notable exception of stalwart Elaine McKrill) while the Valkyries represent the cream of local amateur talent.
The timings on Sunday are Act 1 11:30 to 12:45; Act 2 13:45 to 15:30; Act 3 16:00 to 17:15.
A small audience of family, friends and enthusiasts usually gathers, with a huge sense of enjoyment generated.
© Copyright Opera Scotland 2024
Site by SiteBuddha