Stuart MacRae’s war-themed Ghost Patrol and Craig Armstrong’s The Lady from the Sea are both being unveiled at this summer’s Edinburgh Festival. Performing these works is the culmination of a five-year plan by Scotland’s national opera company to explore what opera might mean in the 21st century. Ghost Patrol explores the relationship between Sam and Alasdair, ex-army comrades who are unexpectedly reunited after three years, but still share a secret that could expose the men to prosecution. Although the shared secret pulls the men together, they respond to the shame of it in very different ways, threatening to create a divide between them. This friction is heightened by a shared attraction to the same woman, Alasdair’s girlfriend Vicki. MacRae’s emotional and atmospheric score, conducted by Michael Rafferty, brings to life these characters as they try – and fail – to escape the past.
Co-commissioned and produced by Scottish Opera and Music Theatre Wales, the work, directed by Matthew Richardson, will tour later in the year, receiving its London premiere in the Linbury Studio at the Royal Opera House in September.
Please click below to watch a talk with Matthew Richardson, who discusses the story of the opera in greater detail.
A co-production between Scottish Opera and Edinburgh International Festival, The Lady from the Sea follows the story of Ellida, the daughter of a lighthouse-keeper and wife to a considerably older man. The arrival of a stranger offers Ellida an escape from the stifling world she lives in, but threatens to pull apart the whole family. Directed by Harry Fehr and conducted by Derek Clark, this production plays to Armstrong’s cinematic experience, using video design as a medium to convey the struggle Ellida feels. Should she stay and do her duty or answer to the longing she feels for freedom?
For The Lady from the Sea Armstrong has worked with Zoe Strachan to adapt Ibsen’s play of the same name, while MacRae has teamed up with crime novelist Louise Welsh once again to bring the evocative tale of Ghost Patrol to the stage.
For more information about the productions, please contact our promotion department or visit the Edinburgh International Festival website.
For press enquiries, please email the Edinburgh International Festival press office or call them on (0131) 472 2020.
CREDITS
The Lady from the Sea by Craig Armstrong
Libretto by Zoe Strachan
Based on a play by Henrik Ibsen
Conductor Derek Clark
Director Harry Fehr
A Scottish Opera and Edinburgh International Festival co-production.
Supported through the Scottish Government's Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund.
Dates
Wed 29 August 2012, 8pm. Book now.
Sat 1 Sept 2012, 9pm. Book now.
Ghost Patrol by Stuart MacRae
Libretto by Louise Welsh
Director Matthew Richardson
Conductor Michael Rafferty
Co-commissioned and co-produced by Scottish Opera and Music Theatre Wales.
Dates
Thu 30 August 2012, 8pm. Sold out.
Sat 1 Sept 2012, 12pm. Book now.
Sun 2 Sept 2012, 3pm. Book now.
Both shows will also be performed in the Theatre Royal in Glasgow immediately after the festival.
Ghost Patrol will be on Thu 6 Sept and Fri 7 Sept at 7.15pm. Book now.
The Lady from the Sea will be on Sat 8 Sept at 7.15pm, and Sun 9 Sept at 2.15pm. Book now.
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