Opera: Scotland's Five:15

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Following the overwhelming success of Five:15 in 2008, Scottish Opera has again teamed up with some of the leading lights in Scotland’s vibrant creative industries to produce a brand new set of 15-minute operas. Guaranteed to inspire, delight and surprise, Five:15 gives you the opportunity to experience 21st century opera in an informal and intimate setting.

Scottish Opera’s ongoing commitment to commissioning new work delivers a refreshingly different take on a traditional art form. Fully staged and complete with orchestral accompaniment, each opera will vary in theme, style and subject matter, aiming to stimulate discussion about what opera as an art form should look like both now and in the future.

The Lightning Rod Man
Composer: Dr Martin Dixon Libretto: Amy Parker
Based on the original story by Herman Melville
Director: Frederic Wake-Walker
A door-to door lightning rod salesman, preying on people’s fears meets a sceptical customer who is having none of his hocus-pocus providing a highly charged storyline that has sparks flying.

Death of a Scientist
Composer: John Harris Libretto: Zinnie Harris
Director: Zinnie Harris
A man in crisis stands on the edge not knowing which way to jump, either way his life is over, the decision is whether or not he is around to face the consequences. An emotionally charged story of conflict and circumstance.

White
Composer: Gareth Williams Libretto: Margaret McCartney
Director: Frederic Wake-Walker
A beautiful and moving work looking at how, as strangers, we can be drawn into the sadness and loss of others, the helplessness and loneliness it causes and the communion of a shared comfort.

Remembrance Day
Composer: Stuart MacRae Libretto: Louise Welsh
Director: Michael McCarthy
A bright young housekeeper's ipod stops working so she decides to play an old LP belonging to the couple she cleans for, unleashing terrible consequences. A full-on gothic tale where music plays a profound and unsettling role.

Happy Story
Composer: David Fennessy Adaptation: David Fennessy & Nicholas Bone
Based on the original short story by Peter Carey
Director: Nick Bone
This is a simple tale of a man and woman's struggle to find happiness. All he wants to do is fly - what can she do other than fly with him? An exquisitely told story about a man and a woman who learn to dream happily together.

Performances
Òran Mór, Glasgow
Fri 20 Feb 7.30pm • Sat 21 Feb 7.30pm • Sun 22 Feb 3.00pm

The Hub, Edinburgh
Sat 7 March 3.00pm & 7.30pm • Sun 8 March 3.00pm

Tickets £15 0131 473 2000 OR www.hubtickets.co.uk

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