Opera Scotland

Gloria in D major, RV589 2025Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Read more about the opera Gloria in D major, RV589

When the SCO's effervescent music director Maxim Emelyanychev first came to our attention in the west, it was in performances of little known works of the baroque period, especially opera.  He worked on Handel, of course, but also Vivaldi, Hasse, Porpora and other neglected geniuses.  When he joined forces with the SCO it was to play a completely different repertoire, but with equal success.

This programme looks like a fascinating attempt to blend the two areas.  Two works by Francis Poulenc begin the evening, his rarely played Sinfonietta will be followed by his ethereal Gloria with a lovely part for solo soprano.

The Vivaldi Gloria seems to have declined in popularity in recent years, but this lively director will surely show us what we have all been missing.

The alto solo is to be taken by a new counter-tenor - yet another excellent example of continental talent.  Two sopranos are listed, one for the Poulenc and one for the Vivaldi. Which of Anna Dennis and Rachel Redmond will tackle which work remains to be confirmed.