Maud 2023Scottish Opera Young Company
Read more about the opera Maud
When very view new operas get as far as a second staging, it was good to see this brief chamber piece being given a revival so soon after its 2018 premiere.
Lasting under half an hour Maud made a suitable prelude to the Young Company's continued exploration of Weill with Down in the Valley. As with the Weill, the director placed the two works in a Hebridean setting - Weill was 20th century, but Maud rather more primitive. This was slightly reminiscent of Judith Weir's opera The Vanishing Bridegroom from thirty years ago. Quite interesting.
Chris Gray's excellent band gave good support to the singers, and the team members not given named roles provided characterful chorus work, frequently crawling in and out of the audience, many of whom were sitting at tables. Imogen Bews dominated the stage as the Wise Woman - perhaps some kind of druid priestess (definitely not Norma). At opening night, Elinor Gent also made a highly positive impact in the title role.
