The right elixir for opera lovers at the concert hall

Scottish Opera's new production of The Elixir of Love heads out on tour this month and first stop is Motherwell Concert Hall.
Hazel McBain (centre) with co-stars Dominic Walsh and Christina Petrou. Credit: Tim Morozzo.Hazel McBain (centre) with co-stars Dominic Walsh and Christina Petrou. Credit: Tim Morozzo.
Hazel McBain (centre) with co-stars Dominic Walsh and Christina Petrou. Credit: Tim Morozzo.

Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti’s work is translated into English as it is translated to a world inspired by the 1920s of PG Wodehouse.

The story follows peasant Nemorino who is in love with the wealthy landowner Adina, but she apparently only has eyes for the dashing Sergeant Belcore.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dr Dulcamara, a quack doctor, sells Nemorino a love potion that he is told will cause Adina to fall in love with him within a day.

The show arrives in Motherwell on Wednesday, September 21, at 7pm and will travel to the likes of Elgin, Stornoway, Drumnadrochit, Kilmarnock and Galashiels.

Glasgow soprano Hazel McBain recently graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and is now a Scottish Opera Emerging Artist.

She said: “I’m thrilled to be working with Scottish Opera, especially on such a fantastic show and excited to be hitting the road.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s great to be taking opera to people in parts of the country they don’t often get it and seeing new parts of Scotland, I’ll certainly be getting my hiking boots on.”

Hazel admits that while she has always had a good voice she was surprised to find herself turning to opera.

She said: “I knew I could sing, but I think most people who can sing want to be a pop star and I was probably no different.

“However, after becoming a members of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra I was introduced to the classics and I really fell in love with that style of singing and taken it from there.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Becoming an emerging artist has been great for helping me take my first steps into the industry and teaching me what to expect as my career develops.

“I am happy to go where the music takes me, and maybe one day I can live my dream of performing ion the great European stages.”

Tickets costing £15 (£5 under-26) are available by calling 01698 403120 or visiting Culture NL

Related topics: