This year, Opera Camerata – a “small, but perfectly formed” amateur opera company based in Edinburgh – is presenting a double bill:

• Purcell’s baroque Greek tragedy tells of Dido, the queen of Carthage, and the loss of her lover Aeneas leading to her grief-stricken death.
• Puccini’s comedy gem starts with a death and ends with lovers united after a farcical tussle between Gianni Schicchi and a pack of money-grabbing relatives.

Make a date to go to the Churchill Theatre for an evening that promises a delightful contrast. Both operas are sung in English. Performances are Wednesday–Saturday at 7:30, plus a 2:30 Saturday matinée.

Tickets are £15 and can be ordered from our very own Susanne Horsburgh, who is playing Zita, or you can phone on 0131 228 2304 or book online through the Usher Hall box office.

Our fellow G&S enthusiasts in Edinburgh are in action twice over the next two months, first as a choir to support a concert presented by the Band of HM Royal Marines Scotland at the Usher Hall at 7:30pm on Wednesday 14 September. The programme will include traditional marches, well known classical and Gilbert & Sullivan pieces with solo performances by members of the Band.

Then the Society are on stage in the Church Hill Theatre from 26–29 October with Me and My Girl, an “uproariously funny and sunny treat for all fans of musical comedy”.  With an award-winning script updated by Stephen Fry, the show features “a host of quirky characters, witty one-liners and toe-tapping, uplifting songs by Noel Gay”.

Click the image for more details on both EDGAS promotions.

Vince Gray, long-time leader of our orchestra, invites us to two Sunday evening concerts of classic baroque music, at Abbotshall Church, Kirkcaldy on 11 September and St Margaret’s Memorial RC Church, Dunfermline on 18 September. For details, click the image. You’ll find some well-known pieces! Well worth coming at 7.00pm either night – and you can pay at the door.

Scotland’s Opera Bohemia returns to Kirkcaldy Old Kirk at 7.30pm on Saturday 27 August, with an exciting new production of Verdi’s La Traviata, featuring a star cast of professional young opera singers in Scotland. Kirkcaldy is not only one of Opera Bohemia’s regular venues – they have brought all our shows there – but it’s also the home town of their co-founder and director of this year’s production, Douglas Nairne.

Tickets are £15, £12 (conc), £6 (under-18) from 01592 741670 or 01592 596904 and available on-line at http://www.wegottickets.com/event/360537.

Please click the image for a flier with details, and spread the word. And why not check out their promotional video clip on YouTube!

The Friends of the Caird Hall Organ are hosting a “Come and Sing with Paul Mealor” day on 17 September. Renowned for his compositions, particularly the Military Wives hit “Wherever you are” and the setting of “Ubi caritas” sung at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, Paul is also a fantastic conductor.

Rehearsals will begin at 2.00 pm (with coffee and registration from 1.00pm). with a concert performance in the Caird Hall at 7.00pm. You’ll be performing Paul’s new “Jubilate Deo” anthem, premièred in Carnegie Hall, New York, last November, and that timeless favourite, Handel’s “Zadok the Priest”, before the main work, Fauré’s Requiem. All these will be accompanied by the Caird Hall’s fine Harrison and Harrison concert organ.

After the concert, there will be the chance to socialise with Paul and fellow choristers in the Caird Hall’s gallery bar. An application form is linked to the image, but note that applications close on 20 August.

Waverley Care are excited to be offering the opportunity to sing one of the classics of musical theatre, The Sound of Music, on Saturday 17 September, from 2:45pm-7:30pm at St Cuthbert’s Parish Church, Edinburgh. This event is open to both music readers and non-music readers alike. You’ll practise the songs in rehearsal before joining up with a live band to sing through all of your favourites. “Fancy dress optional, but strongly encouraged!” All music provided.

This Come and Sing will be conducted by Ben Parry, whose infectious enthusiasm and love of musical theatre will ensure that this is an event simply not to be missed! For more details, click the image.

“… you shan’t be disappointed of a wedding – you shall come to mine”. For ‘wedding’ read ‘concert’ … now that you’re free at 7.30pm on Friday 24 June, do come to the Priory Church in South Queensferry, where Martin will be singing in the Scottish Chamber Choir.

Our “Palestrina at Rosslyn” on 11 June sold out, so we’re repeating most of the same programme: great music; wonderful acoustic; by candlelight (probably); drinks afterwards. And it’s a retiring collection rather than charging for tickets. What’s not to like?! Details on the flyer – click the image.