Opera Caledonia is delighted to present “The Music of Sir Walter Scott” on Saturday 19th March at St. Vincent’s Chapel – a classical recital exploring the life and works of Sir Walter Scott through the operas he inspired. Join international, award winning operatic baritone Arshak Kuzikyan and pianist Derek Clark, Head of Music at Scottish Opera as they perform the music of Donizetti, Marschner and Schubert amongst others. Presented with support from The Edinburgh Sir Walter Scott Club, the evening will include spoken word and readings alongside the music performed.
Pianist Derek Clark
Sir Walter Scott is considered one of Scotland’s most successful historical novelists, poets, playwrights and historians. Many of his works remain classics of European and Sottish literature, most notably the novels Ivanhoe, Rob Roy, Waverley, The Bride of Lammermoor and the narrative poems The Lady of the Lake and Marmion. He had a major impact on European culture, with many classical composers taking influence from his works. The 2021 – 2022 season marks the 250th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s birth with celebrations held across the country as part of Walter Scott 250.
Winner of First prize at the Pavel Lisitian and Tatevik Sazandaryan National Voice Competition (Armenia) and at Lez Azuriales International Singing Competition (France), Arshak Kuzikyan studied singing at the Yerevan State Conservatory, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Wales International Academy of Voice. Recipient the Independent Opera Postgraduate Voice Fellowship 2015 from Sadler’s Wells, Arshak is a Samling artist and a Georg Solti Foundation scholarship holder. He made his Wigmore Hall debut singing at the Samling Showcase in 2015. His recent engagements included Dulcamara, L’elisir d’amore and Masetto, Don Giovanni (New Generation Opera Festival) The Duke, Romeo and Juliet (Grange Park Opera) and the title role in Verdi’s Macbeth.
Derek Clark was born in Glasgow and studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Durham University and London Opera Centre. He joined Welsh National Opera’s music staff in 1977 as a repetiteur and staff conductor, and joined Scottish Opera as Head of Music in 1997. Scottish Opera appearances: Samson, Magic Flute, Don Giovanni, The Marriage of Figaro, Così fan tutte, The Barber of Seville, The Italian Girl in Algiers, L’elisir d’amore, Fidelio, Rigoletto, Il trovatore, La traviata, Macbeth, Falstaff, Orpheus in the Underworld, The Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado, Carmen, Manon, La bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, Eugene Onegin, Hansel and Gretel, Inés de Casto, Five:15 (2008-10), The Lady from the Sea by Craig Armstrong – world premiere; Clemency by Sir James MacMillan – Scottish premiere; The Trial by Philip Glass – Scottish premiere. He also appeared with Jamie MacDougall in Lauder, and has devised 22 Opera Highlights/Essential Scottish Opera programmes. Besides his work as accompanist, coach, arranger and composer, he has assisted Sir Roger Norrington and Richard Egarr at the Edinburgh International Festival and is Musical Director of the Dundee Choral Union.
This recital is presented by Opera Caledonia, Scotland’s newest professional opera company. Opera Caledonia specialises in presenting site specific operatic concerts, productions and events whilst attracting international artists to collaborate and perform alongside the wonderful musicians already based in Scotland, showcasing all that Scotland has to offer as both a country and an artistic platform.
Their first major event is The Isle of Cumbrae Opera Retreat Festival. Taking place in June 2022, The Isle of Cumbrae Opera Retreat Festival will present a weekend-long programme of recitals, concerts, talks and events, all set in the beautiful surroundings of the Cathedral of the Isles on the Isle of Cumbrae and welcoming artists from the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Opera Holland Park and Scottish Opera amongst others.
There are a number of options available for those wishing to attend the weekend ranging from a Full Board Residential Package at the Cathedral of the Isles Guest House to a Weekend Events Pass for those who wish to organise their own accommodation on the island. Tickets are also available for individual concerts and events. Details about Opera Caledonia and The Isle of Cumbrae Opera Retreat Festival can be found at operacaledonia.co.uk.
“The Music of Sir Walter Scott” will be presented in complete compliance with all Scottish Government Covid-19 rules and regulations – providing audience members with peace of mind that they are in a safe environment.
Tickets are priced at £10.00 each (includes refreshments) and must be purchased in advance by emailing operacaledonia@gmail.com, there will be no tickets available to purchase “on the door”. With reduced audience numbers, places are strictly limited so early booking is advised.
Feature image – operatic baritone Arshak Kuzikyan
Opera Caledonia presents “The Music of Sir Walter Scott”
Arshak Kuzikyan, baritone and Derek Clark, piano
Saturday 19th March 2022, 7.30pm
St. Vincent’s Chapel, St. Vincent Street EH3 6SW
Tickets: £10.00 (includes refreshments)
Email operacaledonia@gmail.com to book tickets
operacaledonia.co.uk
