IT HAS performed all over the world, won countless awards and even gave Billy Connolly his chance to shine on a different kind of stage.
Scottish Opera performed its very first production in Glasgow 60 years ago.
Since then, the company has grown to become the largest performing arts organisation in Scotland, with countless awards under its belt.
Our photographers, past and present, have followed its amazing journey and our archives are full of fantastic shots from its rich history.
Founded by Sir Alexander Gibson, Scottish Opera’s first production in 1962 was Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, performed at the King’s Theatre. The company first performed at the BBC Proms in 1971.
In 1975, comedian Billy Connolly played the gaoler Frosch in Die Fledermaus at the gala performance marking the re-opening of the Theatre Royal on October 14. Connolly also reprised the role in the 1979 revival.
In 2016, Scottish Opera presented its first dementia friendly opera with a specially adapted performance of The Marriage of Figaro.
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Recently, the company announced it has partnered with The Biggar Gin Company to release a 60th anniversary gin called Suonare, which is made with botanicals chosen from areas with a strong connection to opera including oranges from Seville, lavender from France, bergamot from Calabria in Italy, pink peppercorn from South America and nettles from the Borders.
Scottish Opera has performed some of the world’s earliest works and newly-commissioned world premieres, from Eugene Onegin and Faust to The Magic Flute and Don Giovanni.
The late Queen Elizabeth met cast and crew after a gala performance on Fiddler on the Roof in 1979. It has collaborated with the world’s finest singers and creatives, together with The Orchestra of Scottish Opera and choruses for each opera. Recent accolades include a South Bank Sky Arts Award and a Scottish Award for New Music.
The company tours extensively across Scotland, with specially adapted 40-foot long trailers bringing Pop-up Opera performances to thousands of people each year. In 2021 the company performed nearly 200 performances of its Pop-up Opera Roadshow to socially distanced audiences of more than 11,000 people.
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Scottish Opera’s education and outreach programme, which celebrated 50 years in 2021, includes an annual primary schools tour, with around 9000 pupils taking part annually.
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