Opera Scotland

Taverner 2009BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (BBC SSO)

Read more about the opera Taverner

This opera is loosely based on the life of the 16th century English composer John Taverner. A cast of prominent singers joined the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra to present a rare concert performance of Peter Maxwell Davies’ seminal opera to celebrate the composer's seventy-fifth birthday.

Considering that he has lived in Scotland for three decades, and has had many new works performed here, especially by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the neglect of his theatre music by Scottish musical entities remains a great disappointment. A visit to a rare performance of Taverner might seem to be a surprising choice as a birthday treat for most people, but Sir Peter seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself.