Do you enjoy singing? Fancy rehearsing and performing chorus numbers from some of the world’s most loved operas? If you answered yes to either question, Opera Caledonia’s “Come and Sing” event at St. Vincent’s Chapel on Saturday 12th March is just the thing for you!
Join conductor Susannah Wapshott (Chorus Master at Scottish Opera) for an exciting and enjoyable day (10.30am – 5.00pm) of music making for adult singers of all ages and abilities (music reading required). Rehearse and explore the operatic chorus repertoire in an encouraging, fun and relaxed environment before performing for family and friends in a closing concert. All music will be provided in advance (so no sight singing on the day to lose sleep over!)
St. Vincent’s Chapel
Enjoy humming along to Puccini’s sumptuous Humming Chorus from “Madama Butterfly” and blow away the cobwebs from your pipes for Verdi’s glorious Anvil Chorus from “Il trovatore” amongst other operatic highlights.
Conductor Susannah Wapshott studied Music at Manchester University, followed by scholarships to the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. She began working at Scottish Opera as a junior repetiteur in 2008 and is now on the permanent music staff, having worked on more than 40 productions. She made her conducting debut with Carmina Burana at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and has since been assistant conductor at Scottish Opera for Katya Kabanova, Greek, The Trial, Orfeo ed Euridice, and Macbeth, and music director/pianist for the critically acclaimed small-scale tours of Carmen, La traviata, Rodelinda, and Macbeth. Also, as Scottish Opera’s associate chorus master, she has prepared the chorus for Rigoletto, Edgar, The Marriage of Figaro, L’amico Fritz, Il trovatore, and Orfeo ed Euridice (BBC Radio 3 broadcast). Wapshott was recently appointed music director for the Helensburgh Oratorio Choir and was invited to conduct the Grampian Youth Orchestra. She was music director for Edinburgh Grand Opera (2014-2017), conducting L’elisir d’amore and La bohème.
The Dallas Opera appointed Susannah as Conducting Fellow at the Hart Institute for Women Conductors.
“Come and Sing – Music of the Opera” will be run in complete compliance with all Scottish Government Covid-19 rules and regulations – providing participants with peace of mind that they are in a safe environment. A limited number of participants, social distancing, enhanced cleaning procedures and face coverings alongside extensive risk assessments will be employed as your safety is of utmost importance to Opera Caledonia.
Opera Caledonia is Scotland’s newest professional opera company, specialising 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. More details about Opera Caledonia and The Isle of Cumbrae Opera Retreat Festival can be found at operacaledonia.co.uk.
With a participation fee of only £50.00 for the whole day and limited places available, early booking for “Come and Sing – Music of the Opera” is advised. Please email operacaledonia@gmail.com to book your place or for more details.
“Come and Sing – Music of the Opera” Saturday 12th March 2022,
10.30am – 5.00pm St. Vincent’s Chapel, St. Vincent Street EH3 6SW
Participation Fee: £50.00 (limited places available) Please note that repertoire is subject to alteration Email operacaledonia@gmail.com to book your place operacaledonia.co.uk
