Following the announcement of its new season, Kate Molleson is concerned Scottish Opera believes its audience can’t handle risky, creative work – the kind that is truly exciting.
The figures are not hard to compare. There are more main stage operas - five rather than three - and a better range of repertoire, from mid-18th century to late-20th century. One of the works was originally a major Scottish Opera commission. Another plays to the company's strength as a Janacek house.
Scottish Opera's general director Alex Reedijk called the new season "a really good mix of work". He said "judicious budgeting and opportunism" had allowed him to increase the number of productions; that, and teaming up with other European companies for co-productions. "It feels like a really meaty season," he said. "Full of proper, intensely dramatic pieces."
However, Scottish Opera's output continues to look deficient when compared with equivalent companies south of the border. Opera North and Welsh National Opera both offer nine main stage productions next season, plus a wide range of small-scale performances and educational work. Scottish Opera remains artistically rudderless as it searches for a music director to replace Emmanuel Joel-Hornak, who last year walked out after five weeks in the job. While next year's range of repertoire might improve on the current season, Reedijk readily admits that - under his watch, at least - Scottish Opera will not dare to take the kind of creative risks that can make the artform truly exciting... Keep reading on Herald Scotland
The figures are not hard to compare. There are more main stage operas - five rather than three - and a better range of repertoire, from mid-18th century to late-20th century. One of the works was originally a major Scottish Opera commission. Another plays to the company's strength as a Janacek house.
Scottish Opera's general director Alex Reedijk called the new season "a really good mix of work". He said "judicious budgeting and opportunism" had allowed him to increase the number of productions; that, and teaming up with other European companies for co-productions. "It feels like a really meaty season," he said. "Full of proper, intensely dramatic pieces."
However, Scottish Opera's output continues to look deficient when compared with equivalent companies south of the border. Opera North and Welsh National Opera both offer nine main stage productions next season, plus a wide range of small-scale performances and educational work. Scottish Opera remains artistically rudderless as it searches for a music director to replace Emmanuel Joel-Hornak, who last year walked out after five weeks in the job. While next year's range of repertoire might improve on the current season, Reedijk readily admits that - under his watch, at least - Scottish Opera will not dare to take the kind of creative risks that can make the artform truly exciting... Keep reading on Herald Scotland