Intermezzo

McVicar seeks men

It's the job ad that writes itself. David McVicar is looking for "four strong young guys" to appear in his forthcoming production of The Rake’s Progress for Scottish Opera.  True to form, no speaking, no singing, and no shirts are involved.

 Scottish Opera say: "you will have to carry out some reasonably heavy lifting on stage during the show whilst semi-naked! You must be available for rehearsals from 13 February to 15 March and then for performances until 1 April. Payment is according to current Equity rates. If you're interested, please email Company Manager Laura Penny at laura.penny@scottishopera.org.uk with a short paragraph about yourself, and both a close-up and full-length photograph. Deadline 18 January."

Offenbach from Scotland

Orpheus in the Underworld (Scottish Opera) - Young Vic Maria, 30 November 2011 

The lips were unlacquered and the bewbage was seasonally swathed, but there was no disguising that towering stack of raven curls. Opera-loving Nancy Dell'Olio is just one of the new BFFs Rory Bremner has picked up from his short-lived stint on Strictly Come Dancing. Holly Valance and Anita Dobson (attached as ever to the legendary Brian May) also found time to drop in on the London opening of Scottish Opera's Orpheus in the Underworld, for which Bremner has created a new translation.

And appropriately enough - because Bremner's translation (adaptation, to be more accurate), updates Offenbach's operetta from ancient Greece to the media-driven celebrity culture of today.

A Scottish Intermezzo

 
No, I'm not getting the Ryanair to Prestwick. But Scottish Opera are launching their new production of Intermezzo on Saturday 26th, with further dates in both Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Strauss's most personal opera is based on his relationship with his bossy wife, Pauline. Not the easiest opera to pull off, but NYCO managed admirably last year, so it can be done. Wolfgang Quetes directs, Francesco Corti conducts, with Anita Bader as Christine, Roland Wood as Robert Storch and Nicky Spence as Baron Lummer.

Scottish Opera have put together a brilliant little silent movie-style trailer, which you can view on their site.