Scottish Opera celebrates 50 years of outreach and education work

The company's outreach and education programme was formed in 1971, an aimed to break down barriers to the art form, connect communities and inspire people from all backgrounds through opera.

In the 50th anniversary year since its launch, Scottish Opera is announcing new projects to connect with communities across Scotland.

It has announced a package of projects for Primary 1 to 7 simultaneously, giving schools the opportunity to engage all pupils in a Scottish Opera primary schools project at the same time.

The Scottish Opera Young Company will be performing with its latest cohort a new production by Roxana Haines of Kurt Weill’s The Tsar Has His Photograph Taken.

Scottish Opera staged the UK’s first ever dementia friendly opera performance in 2016 and continues to work closely with people living with dementia. Its community-based music and dementia project Memory Spinners hopes to reinstate its weekly group meetings in Glasgow in Spring 2022.

Scottish Opera’s director of Outreach and Education, Jane Davidson, said: 'Since 1971, Scottish Opera has remained committed to its mission of engaging and enriching the lives of people from all corners of Scotland through opera.

'In these uncertain and difficult times, never has this commitment been so crucial and the need for positive and supportive musical experiences been as vital. We are incredibly proud and excited to be at the start of the journey to bring live music back to the Scottish audiences of all ages. While the opportunities for digital interaction with our work continues to evolve and develop, it’s the combination of passion and sheer joy for sharing stories through music that will continue to drive us for the next 50 years.'

For information about Scottish Opera’s Outreach and Education programme visit https://www.scottishopera.org.uk/.