Latest news with #ScottishOpera
Glasgow Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Inspiring school near Glasgow wins top music award
Milngavie Primary has achieved the Gold Award from the We Make Music School Award scheme for their outstanding success in the subject. The distinction 'recognises and celebrates the rich variety of music-making activity taking place in primary and additional support needs schools in Scotland'. Milngavie is the first school in East Dunbartonshire to gain the accreditation and one of only three in Scotland to achieve gold. Jennifer Ramsay, a specialist music teacher at the school, said 'We are very proud to place music at the heart of our school and delighted to have our commitment to music celebrated. 'We know music is extremely beneficial to pupils and can help increase attainment, confidence and resilience. "It also promotes inclusion and develops strong teamwork skills. 'At Milngavie we want all children to experience the joy music can bring and develop a lifelong appreciation for the arts.' READ NEXT: Homes in postcode could be left without water In particular, the Gold Award acknowledges the school's commitment to high quality weekly music lessons and extracurricular groups who regularly perform in the local community. It also recognises its collaborative links with outside organisations such as Scottish Opera, The Benedetti Foundation and The Milngavie Music Club. Furthermore, the award celebrates the team of instrumental teachers who work together to host performances such as the annual musical evening, which showcases the talent of pupils from across the school. The award was presented to Milngavie by Neil Millar from Education Scotland who came along to the school for the occasion. He said: 'This is only the third time in which gold has been awarded, so it is a huge achievement, and it is clear from today's showcase of musical talent why it has been awarded. 'Music is very much at the heart of the ethos of the school and it is fantastic to see." READ NEXT: 'Like a wasteland': Bereaved residents hit out at 'disgraceful' cemetery Mae Murray from We Make Music Scotland added: 'Huge congratulations to Milngavie. "Your hard work, talent, and dedication to the arts truly shines. "It's inspiring to see a school nurturing creativity and giving young people the opportunity to express themselves through music. "Well done to all the pupils and staff who made this possible.'
Daily Record
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Cathkin High pupil Rose hit the high notes as she won national competition
She won the Solo Performer of the Year category at the Scottish Young Musicians awards in Glasgow's Royal Conservatoire. A highly-gifted Cathkin High pupil certainly hit the high notes when she flew the flag for South Lanarkshire at a prestigious national event. Rose Murray was the finalist for the region in the Solo Performer of the Year category at the Scottish Young Musicians awards in Glasgow's Royal Conservatoire. This year there were 33 finalists, one representing every local authority in Scotland and one from the independent schools. And Rose won her award for performances of Song to the Seals by Granville Bantock and Taylor The Latte Boy by Zina Goldrich. As well as her award, to support her musical journey, Rose also gets to spend a day with Scottish Opera where she will meet with the production team and the cast of outstanding singers of their autumn production La Boheme. And she will also secure tickets to one of the performances. Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year is Scotland's leading music festival for soloists and ensembles. Young musicians can compete to win big prizes, perform live on a national stage and push their skills like never before. Elaine Duffy, the council's instrumental music co-ordinator, said: 'We are delighted that Rose has been recognised at this most prestigious event. 'It is a real testament to her hard work and dedication over the years, supported by her singing teacher Sandra Hawkins.' Her performing career to date includes the council's annual Instrumental Music Service showcase in Hamilton Town House and soloist at the annual Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations. Rose has also performed with the South Lanarkshire Orchestral Society (SLOT) Senior Concert Band and has been invited to sing with Stewarton Winds Concert Band.
The Guardian
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The Merry Widow review – come for the big tunes, stay for the birthday cement mixer
An enormous rococo sofa dominates the stage. Great artworks jostle for space on the walls – Picasso, Velázquez, a handful of impressionists, and a banner reads 'Happy birthday boss'. Guests pour in from a pinging elevator: a maelstrom of big skirts in Disney princess colours, high-rise hair, three-piece suits and pork pie hats. Out of the window: skyscrapers. In singer turned director John Savournin's latest production for Opera Holland Park – a collaboration with Scottish Opera and D'Oyly Carte Opera – Franz Lehár's hit operetta The Merry Widow switches fictional Pontevedro and Le Gai Paris for New York's mafia underworld and its Sicilian homeland. The plot's patriarch becomes a pinstripe Manhattan godfather, title character Hanna Glawari the widow of a Sicilian lemon-tree racketeer. In their energetic English version, Savournin and David Eaton have fun with Dolmio-level Italian (no less authentic than Lehár's original Balkan Neverland) and these mafiosi reach as often for the TV gangster phrase book – 'Bada bing, bada boom', 'schmuck', 'capeesh?' – as for their guns. Dialogue is delivered in 90% faux mafioso ('family comes foist, bowss!'), 10% operatic RP. In the mostly excellent singing those proportions were reversed. And where the spoken passages were largely shrieked or shouted, the balance in the sung numbers swung in favour of the orchestra: most of the action played behind the pit thus vastly increasing the demands on singers already working in tent-acoustics. So much high-camp melodrama may leave some yearning for a calmer take on Lehár's classic. But, for those with a higher tolerance for hyperactive kitsch and national stereotyping after Lehár's own model, this mid-century Merry Widow is enormously enjoyable. Come for the big tunes, stay for the straight-legged 'Russian' folk dance performed unsmiling in dark glasses, the stage hands in white tie, lemon trees on wheels and the 'birthday cement mixer' (don't ask). For Acts 2 and 3, takis's streamlined set spins to take us from a cypress-equipped villa to the crimson interior of Maxim's – now a 'respectable performance bar' in New York. Bass-baritone Henry Waddington is ideally cast as 'Don' Zeta and evidently had a ball, his comic timing impeccable; Rhian Lois was a vivacious stage presence as his wife, Valentina. Matthew Kellett's Little Italy accent was the best of the bunch, while Christopher Nairne and Connor James Smith made one winning double act as warring Italians, Amy J Payne and Matthew Siveter as another, the ferocious 'Russian' Kromows. But this is also a piece with a big heart. Along with the warm, stylish playing from the orchestra of Scottish Opera under Stuart Stratford, it was the suavity and occasional tenderness of Alex Otterburn's Danilo and Paula Sides's Hanna that made this performance more than the sum of its gags. At Opera Holland Park, London, until 28 June.
North Wales Chronicle
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Music legend awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours
Ann Atkinson, the former artistic director of the North Wales International Music Festival, discovered that she had been awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours. According to Ann, she was deeply touched to learn that she'd been nominated for the honour after serving the festival with distinction for two decades before stepping down two years ago. In her new honorary role as a vice-president, she's looking forward to this year's event at St Asaph Cathedral from September 11 to 20. Ann Atkinson (Image: EILEEN JACKSON) Her successor, royal composer Paul Mealor, paid tribute to Ann's 'immense contribution'. He said: 'Ann is a friendly force of nature and a legend of music and the arts in Wales. We are indebted to her for turning the festival into an event that has established itself as a highlight of the UK's cultural calendar. 'I will be forever grateful to Ann for the help and wise advice she has given to me after taking the helm, making the transition as smooth as possible. 'We are delighted her achievements have been recognised with the MBE – it is richly deserved'. It's the latest in a long line of accolades for Ann, who lives near Corwen, and has variously been described as a 'force of nature' and a 'legend of the classical music scene' in North Wales. A celebrated mezzo soprano in her own right, Ann has sung with many of Britain's leading opera companies, including Scottish Opera, Glyndebourne Festival Opera and Wexford Festival Opera. From 2002 to 2009 Ann was also Musical Director of the Fron Male Choir who found fame and became known as the "Oldest Boy Band in the World" releasing several albums which topped the classical charts for a record 16 weeks. Ann was honoured by the Gorsedd of Bards at the 2009 National Eisteddfod in Bala and a year later was made an Honorary Fellow at Glyndŵr University. In 2011 she received the Welsh Livery Guild's Merit Award in recognition of her outstanding achievements to the world of music in Wales and beyond. She was once again recognized for her contribution to Welsh Music in 2019 when she received the prestigious Sir Geraint Evans Award from the Welsh Music Guild in Cardiff. Three years ago Ann received an honorary Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in recognition of her contribution to music. Ann's not resting on her laurels though because she's still busy as the musical director of two male voice choirs, Côr Meibion Trelawnyd and Côr Meibion Bro Glyndwr and is a singing tutor to a host of young, up and coming soloists. But the arrival of the letter to inform her about the MBE prompted a feeling of momentary dread. She said: 'I saw this official looking letter and I thought I'd had a speeding fine or that I was being called to do jury service. 'When I opened it I was stuck on the first paragraph, I couldn't read any more. I couldn't believe it. I'm still pinching myself. It was a lovely surprise and a very great honour. 'When I became artistic director, the festival was facing many challenges and I believe we met all those challenges and left the festival on a more secure footing for the future. 'One of the things I am proudest of was developing the educational element of the festival, giving children a stake and being part of it. They are the performers and the audience of the future. 'They won't forget the experience of playing on the festival stage with professional musicians or coming to the festival to work on different projects. 'Among the biggest highlights for me was the 50th anniversary of the festival which was a major milestone. 'But after two decades, I felt that the time was right for me to step down and give an opportunity for new blood and fresh ideas. 'The fact that it was the festival that nominated me for this honour means a great deal. I am very grateful to them. 'I became a vice-president of the festival last year which means that I can continue to be involved. 'Paul was an inspired choice as the new artistic director and he's doing a fantastic job and putting his own stamp on the festival. He's ringing the changes but staying true to the core values of the festival.' Headliners this year include the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, world class choral group Apollo5 and the renowned Black Dyke Band. Making her festival debut this year will be the acclaimed film and TV composer, Debbie Wiseman OBE. MOST READ Her theme tunes for Wolf Hall, Shakespeare and Hathaway, Judge John Deed and many others will be played by the NEW Sinfonia orchestra. Another highlight this year will be the second Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition that was launched last year and is being funded by the Pendine Arts and Community Trust set up by the festival's headline sponsors, the Pendine Park care organisation. The final concert will feature the North Wales Choral Union and Orchestra under the baton of conductor Trystan Lewis. Also returning will be the festival fringe which Paul Mealor introduced as a new element last year to create closer links with the local community in St Asaph. The fringe events will include a cabaret and American song night, stand-up comedy, and a poetry night led by one of Wales's greatest poets, Mererid Hopwood, the current Archdruid of Wales.
Rhyl Journal
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Music legend awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours
Ann Atkinson, the former artistic director of the North Wales International Music Festival, discovered that she had been awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours. According to Ann, she was deeply touched to learn that she'd been nominated for the honour after serving the festival with distinction for two decades before stepping down two years ago. In her new honorary role as a vice-president, she's looking forward to this year's event at St Asaph Cathedral from September 11 to 20. Ann Atkinson (Image: EILEEN JACKSON) Her successor, royal composer Paul Mealor, paid tribute to Ann's 'immense contribution'. He said: 'Ann is a friendly force of nature and a legend of music and the arts in Wales. We are indebted to her for turning the festival into an event that has established itself as a highlight of the UK's cultural calendar. 'I will be forever grateful to Ann for the help and wise advice she has given to me after taking the helm, making the transition as smooth as possible. 'We are delighted her achievements have been recognised with the MBE – it is richly deserved'. It's the latest in a long line of accolades for Ann, who lives near Corwen, and has variously been described as a 'force of nature' and a 'legend of the classical music scene' in North Wales. A celebrated mezzo soprano in her own right, Ann has sung with many of Britain's leading opera companies, including Scottish Opera, Glyndebourne Festival Opera and Wexford Festival Opera. From 2002 to 2009 Ann was also Musical Director of the Fron Male Choir who found fame and became known as the "Oldest Boy Band in the World" releasing several albums which topped the classical charts for a record 16 weeks. Ann was honoured by the Gorsedd of Bards at the 2009 National Eisteddfod in Bala and a year later was made an Honorary Fellow at Glyndŵr University. In 2011 she received the Welsh Livery Guild's Merit Award in recognition of her outstanding achievements to the world of music in Wales and beyond. She was once again recognized for her contribution to Welsh Music in 2019 when she received the prestigious Sir Geraint Evans Award from the Welsh Music Guild in Cardiff. Three years ago Ann received an honorary Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in recognition of her contribution to music. Ann's not resting on her laurels though because she's still busy as the musical director of two male voice choirs, Côr Meibion Trelawnyd and Côr Meibion Bro Glyndwr and is a singing tutor to a host of young, up and coming soloists. But the arrival of the letter to inform her about the MBE prompted a feeling of momentary dread. She said: 'I saw this official looking letter and I thought I'd had a speeding fine or that I was being called to do jury service. 'When I opened it I was stuck on the first paragraph, I couldn't read any more. I couldn't believe it. I'm still pinching myself. It was a lovely surprise and a very great honour. 'When I became artistic director, the festival was facing many challenges and I believe we met all those challenges and left the festival on a more secure footing for the future. 'One of the things I am proudest of was developing the educational element of the festival, giving children a stake and being part of it. They are the performers and the audience of the future. 'They won't forget the experience of playing on the festival stage with professional musicians or coming to the festival to work on different projects. 'Among the biggest highlights for me was the 50th anniversary of the festival which was a major milestone. 'But after two decades, I felt that the time was right for me to step down and give an opportunity for new blood and fresh ideas. 'The fact that it was the festival that nominated me for this honour means a great deal. I am very grateful to them. 'I became a vice-president of the festival last year which means that I can continue to be involved. 'Paul was an inspired choice as the new artistic director and he's doing a fantastic job and putting his own stamp on the festival. He's ringing the changes but staying true to the core values of the festival.' Headliners this year include the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, world class choral group Apollo5 and the renowned Black Dyke Band. Making her festival debut this year will be the acclaimed film and TV composer, Debbie Wiseman OBE. MOST READ Her theme tunes for Wolf Hall, Shakespeare and Hathaway, Judge John Deed and many others will be played by the NEW Sinfonia orchestra. Another highlight this year will be the second Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition that was launched last year and is being funded by the Pendine Arts and Community Trust set up by the festival's headline sponsors, the Pendine Park care organisation. The final concert will feature the North Wales Choral Union and Orchestra under the baton of conductor Trystan Lewis. Also returning will be the festival fringe which Paul Mealor introduced as a new element last year to create closer links with the local community in St Asaph. The fringe events will include a cabaret and American song night, stand-up comedy, and a poetry night led by one of Wales's greatest poets, Mererid Hopwood, the current Archdruid of Wales.
