Audiences in Scotland will be the first in the UK to hear a brand new work by composer Gareth Williams as Opera Highlights hits the road later this month.

Scottish Opera’s inaugural composer in residence has revised Dance ‘til the Sun Sets especially for the annual 15 date whistle-stop tour. It will be performed alongside arias and ensembles from well-known operas including Bizet’s Carmen, Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, as well as a sprinkling of lesser-known works from the likes of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Sadko and Britten’s Paul Bunyan.

A cast of four talented young singers will bring the eclectic programme to life in venues from Jedburgh to Mull, Arran to Lochinver, Glenrothes to Livingston, Largs to Musselburgh and back again – they are baritone Marcus Farnsworth (with Riccardo Simonetti singing for the final six performances), soprano Anita Watson, mezzo-soprano Rosie Aldridge and tenor Robert Anthony Gardiner. Packing up her piano to accompany them on the 5 week tour is Susannah Wapshott.

In charge of hand-picking the Opera Highlights programme for over a decade, Scottish Opera’s Head of Music Derek Clark is at the helm once again, and can’t wait to get the show on the road. He says:

‘It’s great to be able to include a new piece of work in the Opera Highlights programme, particularly as Gareth has worked closely with the singers on revising the piece, it’s been an exciting challenge for them, and will make for a real treat for audiences. It fits beautifully into the programme too, which is a real mixed bag of familiar favourites and lesser-known gems, so even if you’ve never tried opera – or if you’re an opera-buff – I’m sure you’ll find something in there to love.’

Opera Highlights Tour Dates

Source: Scottish Opera