It seems extraordinary that a decade has passed since the only previous revival of Sir Thomas Allen's memorable production - presumably just one of the many issues brought about by the Covid pandemic. Fortunately he is still available to direct this run, and will no doubt tweak details to suit his entirely new cast of young singers as they get to work. It is hard to imagine them having a more stimulating introduction to the piece. There are fifteen performances - six in Glasgow, five in Edinburgh, and two each in Aberdeen and Inverness.
The most obvious change is that the performances will be given in English, Figaro being available in one of the admirable translations provided by the late Amanda Holden. This will be a novelty for the director just as much as for the singers, and we can be confident that every word will be clearly projected, making the supertitles almost redundant.
Many of the soloists are newcomers - Ava Dodd, Ian Rucker, Edward Hawkins as Susanna, Count and Bartolo. The Cherubino, Simone McIntosh, had a great success as Rosina in the last revival of Sir Thomas's production of The Barber of Seville. Alexandra Lowe's only previous appearance here was in the recent concerts of French operatic extracts. Dane Lam made a highly positive impression in charge of Carmen - always a tricky assignment - a couple of years ago.
Scottish Opera's programme for 2025/26
The most obvious novelty is a world premiere with a uniquely Japanese theme. The Great Wave has music by Dai Fujikura and a text by Harry Ross with a central theme derived from the famous print by Hokusai.
The season opens with new productions of an interesting double bill of works by two great twentieth century masters, Maurice Ravel and William Walton. Scottish Opera did give us L'Heure espagnole as long ago as 1963, the company's second season, but Walton's operas, including his late comedy The Bear, have been conspicuous omissions.
As usual two popular favourites are given extended runs that include performances in Aberdeen and Inverness, as well as Glasgow and Edinburgh. The autumn revival is Renaud Doucet and André Barbe's thoroughly enjoyable staging of La bohème, first seen in 2017. The spring tour is one of the company's best productions, first seen in 2010 - Sir Thomas Allen's visionary interpretation of The Marriage of Figaro, which he is returning to work on.
There is a long-awaited return to the works of Wagner, with two concert performances of Tristan und Isolde, while a concert programme of excerpts this year is centred on Tchaikovsky.
The company's small-scale activities continue with autumn and spring tours of a Highlights programme. The Pop-Up Opera series also continues to spread the length and breadth of the country.
Theatre Royal, Glasgow | Glasgow
9 May, 19.15 13 May, 19.15 15 May, 19.15 17 May, 15.00 20 May, 19.15 23 May, 19.15
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh | Edinburgh
29 May, 19.15 31 May, 15.00 2 Jun, 19.15 4 Jun, 19.15 6 Jun, 19.15
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