Opera Bohemia

Opera Bohemia is an opera company based in Scotland that performs operas throughout the country. The operas are adapted for small venues and are often performed in remote communities. The company began presenting operas in 2010.

Opera Bohemia
TypeTheatre group
PurposeOpera productions
Location
  • Scotland
Membership
Douglas Nairne and Alistair Digges, music directors
Artistic director(s)
John Wilkie
Websiteoperabohemia.co.uk

History

Opera Bohemia was established by two Scottish opera singers, Alastair Digges and Douglas Nairne, with the aim of presenting opera across Scotland, introducing opera to a wider audience, especially to a younger audience, and creating opportunities for young artists.[1] Opera performances have taken place in over twenty towns or villages across Scotland, from the Isle of Skye in the West Highlands,[2] to the east coast,[3] to the Scottish borders,[4] to the Central Belt[5] and to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.[6] Operas are adapted for a small stage and a small cast with no chorus. A piano and violin replace an orchestra. An exception to this is Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin which includes a string ensemble.[7][8]

Productions and performers

Each new production leads to tours which include remote and small venues. Puccini's Madame Butterfly has featured around most of Scotland. It was also performed in London's Middle Temple.[9] Madame Butterfly was most recently reviewed following the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2015[10] at which Opera Bohemia has performed a different opera every year since 2010.[11] In that first Edinburgh Festival Fringe production of La Bohème, Mimi was played by international star Pumeza Matshikiza.[12] For Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor[13] in 2012 another international star, Australian soprano Suzanne Shakespeare, performed Lucia.[14] Other operas in Opera Bohemia's repertoire to date are Puccini's La Bohème,[15] Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitor and Puccini's Gianni Schicci.[16] Regular lead performers include the soprano Catriona Clark and,[17] Alastair Digges (tenor)[18] and Douglas Nairne (baritone).[19] Digges and Nairne are also music directors for the productions, most of which are directed by John Wilkie,[20]

Funding

Opera Bohemia has received Creative Scotland Lottery Funding[21] and funding from a number of trusts, companies and individuals.

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References
  1. "Alistair Digges and Douglas Nairne with Opera Scotland". Opera Scotland. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  2. "Madame Butterfly' in Kyleakin hall". West Highland Free Press. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  3. "Opera Bohemia to visit Peterburgh for the first time". Fraserburgh Herald. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  4. "Amalh & The Night Visitors, Performed by Opera Bohemia Date: Thursday 10th of December". Absolute Classics. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  5. Fraser, Garry. "Opera Bohemia, reviewed Gardyne Theatre February 17". The Courier. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  6. "A polished Lucia di Lammermoor". The Operatic Critic. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  7. Ash, Madeleine. "Eugene Onegin". Broadway Baby. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  8. "Opera Bohemia Perform Eugene Onegin". Inverclyde Now. Archived from the original on 26 January 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  9. "Madam Butterfly at Middle Temple". Muir Maxwell.
  10. Smythe, David. "Opera Bohemia's Butterfly brings a flutter of excitement to the Fringe". Bachtrack. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  11. "Credits for Opera Bohemia". BroadwayBaby. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  12. Haggie, Miranda. "Talented new company's Fringe debut". The List. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  13. Graham, Catriona. "A polished Lucia di Lammermoor". The Opera Critic. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  14. Munro, James. "Opera Bohemia: Lucia di Lammermoor". Northings. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  15. James Munro. "Opera Bohemia: La Bohème". Northings. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  16. Smythe, David. "Seriously high mischief: Gianni Schicchi is an Edinburgh Fringe delight". Bachtrack. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  17. "C". Catriona Clark Soprano. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  18. "Alastair Diggges". OperaScotland. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  19. "Douglas Nairne". Mahler Players. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  20. "John Wilkie". Opera Scotland. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  21. "Opera Bohemia". GotLottery. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
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