Opera Caledonia is delighted to return to St. Vincent’s Chapel on Saturday 29th March to present Allan Ramsay’s “The Gentle Shepherd” – Scotland’s first ballad opera.
2025 marks 300 years since the publication of Allan Ramsay’s pastoral comedy “The Gentle Shepherd”. Through the inclusion of traditional songs and music, Ramsay adapted his work into a ballad opera, earning it the title of “the first Scottish opera”.
Christian Schneeberger
Set against the backdrop of the Pentland Hills, “The Gentle Shepherd” tells the story of Patie, a poor but virtuous shepherd, who falls in love with Peggy, a shepherdess.
Enjoy a concert retelling of what became Ramsay’s most popular work, performed by Stephanie Stanway (soprano), Christian Schneeberger (tenor) and Derek Clark (harpsichord) in the glorious surroundings of Edinburgh’s St. Vincent’s Chapel.
Scottish soprano Stephanie Stanway is a Samling Artist and recent graduate of the Alexander Gibson Opera School at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where she studied under Wilma MacDougall having previously studied at the Royal Northern College of Music. Stephanie is the recipient of the Ye Cronies Opera award The Dame Eva Turner Vocal Prize.
Scottish tenor Christian Schneeberger studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he won the Glasgow Grand Society Opera Cup, the Hugh S. Roberton Prize for Scottish Singing, and the William Allan Prize. He performs regularly with Scottish Opera has appeared throughout the UK as a recitalist, oratorio soloist, and opera singer. Recent engagements include Verdi’s Requiem with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
Scottish Opera’s celebrated former Head of Music, Derek Clark is an Honours graduate of the RSAMD and the University of Durham. He studied at the London Opera Centre before joining Welsh National Opera as a répétiteur in 1977, making his professional conducting debut in 1981 with Handel’s Tamerlano. During his time at Scottish Opera he conducted more than 30 operas for the company, including major works by Handel and Mozart, Rossini, Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Massenet, Puccini, and Gilbert & Sullivan.
Please note that this event is only suitable for children age 10+. All children (under 18yo) must have their own ticket and must be accompanied by a paying adult. This performance has a running time of c.75mins without interval. Tickets are non-refundable. Balcony seats are not wheelchair accessible and are not recommended to patrons with limited mobility. Artists are subject to alteration.
* EVENT CANCELLED
The Gentle Shepherd
Saturday 29th March 2025
St. Vincent’s Chapel, St. Vincent Street,
New Town, Edinburgh, EH3 6SW
7.30pm • £15.00 – £25.00
book via eventbrite (booking fee applies)
more info via operacaledonia@gmail.com
