Opera Highlights tour will include Argyll and the Isles

Opera Highlights is back on the road on February 4, with four singers and a pianist journeying to 17 venues the length and breadth of Scotland, from Lerwick in the north to Castle Douglas in the south – and including Argyll and the Isles.

Following 17 performances in the autumn, the same Opera Highlights but with a new cast is travelling the highways and byways by land, sea and air. The spring tour begins in Bathgate, then visits Birnam, Markinch, Campbeltown, Bowmore, Arrochar, Bunessan, Arisaig, Beauly, Cumnock, Castle Douglas, Callander, Lerwick, Peebles, Fochabers, Alford and Rutherglen.

Set in a beautiful garden, director Roxana Haines’s production features a playlist of operatic classics and must-hear rarities, curated by Scottish Opera’s head of music Derek Clark. Highlights include Delibes’ Flower Duet, Vaughan Williams’ Blue larkspur in a garden and many more from the likes of Mozart, Lehár and Scottish Opera composer in residence Samuel Bordoli.

Scottish Opera 2019/20 emerging artist repetiteur Michael Papadopoulos is the pianist/music director, and is joined by soprano Zoe Drummond, mezzo-soprano Jade Moffat, tenor Andrew Irwin and baritone Arthur Bruce, The Robertson Trust Scottish Opera emerging artist this season.

Roxana Haines, who directed Scottish Opera’s hit

Edinburgh Festival Fringe show Fox-tot! this summer, said: ‘After a successful autumn tour, I am pleased to revive this Opera Highlights show, where the cast cordially invite you to a party on your doorstep.

'This spring we have a brand new cast to guide you through our story, which takes place in luscious gardens and magical flora and fauna of opera.

'The stage has been set, decorations unpacked and the guests have all arrived but, the problem is we're still not sure whose party this is...

‘As the evening progresses, the connections between our characters unravel through music from the likes of Handel, Donizetti and Mozart, and lighter pieces from Gilbert and Sullivan and Vaughan Williams as well as a new work by Samuel Bordoli.

'Prepare for an evening of charm, magic and love in all its operatic forms in a show that highlights the joy and absurdity of opera.'

This Opera Highlights tour is supported by The Friends of Scottish Opera, JTH Charitable Trust and The Scottish Opera Endowment Trust. Tickets are on sale now.

Regal Theatre, Bathgate, Tue 4 Feb, 7.30pm

Birnam Institute, Thu 6 Feb, 7.30pm

Markinch Town Hall, Sat 8 Feb, 7.30pm

Victoria Hall, Campbeltown, Tue 11 Feb, 7.30pm

Bowmore Hall, Islay, Thu 13 Feb, 7.30pm

The Three Villages Hall, Arrochar, Sat 15 Feb, 7.30pm

Bunessan Community Hall, Mull, Tues 18 Feb, 7.30pm

Astley Hall, Arisaig, Thu 20 Feb, 7.30pm

Phipps Institute, Beauly, Sat 22 Feb, 7.30pm

McLaren High School, Callander, Saturday 29 Feb, 7.30pm