SCOTTISH OPERA is inviting local people from Renfrewshire and beyond to become part of a performing company of two hundred.
Performances of Ruggero Leoncavallo’s opera Pagliacci (The Clowns) will take place at Seedhill Playing Fields in Paisley in July 2018.
Pagliacci tells the story of Canio, the leader of a troupe of travelling players, who discovers his wife Nedda is having an affair. His jealousy erupts before an unsuspecting audience, as the play-within-a-play takes a tragic turn.
Scottish Opera’s Music Director Stuart Stratford will conduct and Bill Bankes-Jones, founder of Tête à Tête Opera, will direct the production.
Anyone interested is invited to attend one of four taster events at the company’s Silver Clod Studio in November. The sessions are open to everyone over 16 who enjoys singing, dance or drama, or who would like to learn a new skill.
Community Taster Sessions
Silver Cloud Studio, North Point, Unit 20, 37 Gordon Avenue, Hillington Park, G52 4TG
Mon 20 Nov, 7-9pm
Tue 21 Nov, 2-4pm
Wed 22 Nov, 7-9pm
Thu 23 Nov, 7-9pm
No previous performance experience is needed and those who take part will be right in the middle of the action, performing alongside The Orchestra of Scottish Opera, international soloists and a professional chorus.
The company also wants to hear from existing theatrical, musical, gymnastic, cheer-leading or sporting groups to be part of the carnival-like setting which will be created for the show.
The November taster sessions will be followed by an introductory weekend in January and weekly rehearsals for the landmark immersive production will begin in early March.
The performances of Pagliacci (The Clowns) will be on 26, 28 and 29 July in Paisley, which has been shortlisted for UK City of Culture in 2021.
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Former Scottish Opera Emerging Artist Nadine Livingston (La bohème, 2017) sings the role of Nedda. Making his Scottish Opera debut, Trinidadian tenor Ronald Samm will sing the role of her husband Canio. Robert Hayward (Bluebeard’s Castle, 2017) will return to the Scottish Opera stage as Tonio, the fool.
Stuart Stratford said the opera was ‘crying out’ for a new twist.
He said: ‘Sometimes the best place to perform a piece is outside the theatre. An opera like Pagliacci is crying out for a different approach – I can’t think of a better way to present it, and to capture its energy, than with hundreds of performers from all walks of life.’
Paisley 2021 bid director Jean Cameron said: “We are thrilled Scottish Opera is bringing this production to Paisley next year. Paisley’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2021 aims to bring some of the finest artists from Scotland and beyond to Paisley to work with our homegrown talent and for our local audiences to enjoy.”
Those who wish to find out more or take part in the production should contact Donna Macpherson: donna.macpherson@scottishopera.org.uk or 0141 332 9559.
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