Scottish Opera - Glasgow
28 March 2024

Company search

click here for more photos for
this opera company
Click below for
production trailers
Marx in London!
Il barbiere di Siviglia
Carmen
Il trittico
Ainadamar

You've been granted free access to this page.

Take a FREE 7 DAY TRIAL or SUBSCRIBE today to access the full content of theoperacritic.com.

Free access

Performance reviews

Key Photo gallery Production details Video link
Marx in London!

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 10

A labored production that fails to capture the comedy of Dove & Hart’s work
2 Mar 24 / OperaWire
The humour of history made manifest
24 Feb 24 / The Arts Desk
Madness, mayhem and Marx
24 Feb 24 / The Opera Critic
Scottish Opera’s Marx in London! in Glasgow is more reminiscent of a Marx Brothers farce
20 Feb 24 / Seen and Heard
A sumptuous and entertaining production
19 Feb 24 / The National
A day in the life of the father of communism is full of laughs in Scottish Opera’s new production of Jonathan Dove’s buoyant farce
18 Feb 24 / The Observer
Scottish Opera’s magnificent Marx in London! demonstrates a creative synergy that’s all-consuming
16 Feb 24 / The Scotsman
A vibrant, farcical night at the opera
15 Feb 24 / West End Best Friend
Dove’s opera is capital entertainment
15 Feb 24 / The Guardian
Dove's comedy impresses at Scottish Opera
15 Feb 24 / Bachtrack
Hansel und Gretel

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 1

A Christmas treat
20 Dec 23 / The Opera Critic
Daphne

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 6

White roses haunt Scottish Opera’s enthralling Daphne
13 Dec 23 / Bachtrack
A remarkable success for the Scottish premiere of Richard Strauss’s Daphne in Glasgow
10 Sep 23 / Seen and Heard
Hye-Youn Lee was utterly magnificent in the title role
9 Sep 23 / The Scotsman
The music from start to end is utterly delightful, an absolute treat for the ear
7 Sep 23 / The Reviews Hub
Scottish Opera’s semi-staged Strauss is in masterly hands
7 Sep 23 / The Guardian
A powerful performance of this Richard Strauss rarity
7 Sep 23 / The Opera Critic
Il barbiere di Siviglia

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 5

A highly entertaining revival of Thomas Allen's witty production
7 Nov 23 / The Opera Critic
Making opera fun again
26 Oct 23 / Brig Newspaper
Scottish Opera's revived Rossini on tour with much-needed comic relief
22 Oct 23 / The National
Scottish Barber of Seville packed with fun
21 Oct 23 / Bachtrack
Scottish Opera’s refreshed production of The Barber of Seville’s goes for belly laughs – and gets them
19 Oct 23 / The Scotsman
Carmen

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 6

An emotionally powerful performance
12 Jun 23 / The Opera Critic
A blistering production of a classic opera
11 Jun 23 / West End Best Friend
Fulljames' police thriller Carmen closes Scottish Opera season
19 May 23 / Bachtrack
There are plenty of good ideas in this reimagining of Carmen
16 May 23 / The Scotsman
Shimmering principals
16 May 23 / The Stage
A true-crime thriller with an uneasy heroine
15 May 23 / The Guardian
Il trittico

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 7

Scottish Opera's Il Trittico is propelled by thrilling performances and imaginative design
30 Mar 23 / The Skinny
A night to remember
26 Mar 23 / The Opera Critic
Scottish Opera’s new Puccini triple bill is a triumph with an outstanding debut by soprano Sunyoung Seo
18 Mar 23 / Seen and Heard
Scottish Opera’s vivid new staging has humour and heartbreak
14 Mar 23 / The Guardian
David McVicar’s new production of Puccini's trio of one act operas is a triumph
14 Mar 23 / The Scotsman
Scottish Opera triumphantly rises to the challenge of Puccini’s three one-acters
14 Mar 23 / The Stage
Sir David McVicar's new Trittico a triumph for Scottish Opera
14 Mar 23 / Bachtrack
Karen Cargill
‘Scottish Opera always feels like an incredibly special place to be’
Ainadamar

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 8

Scottish Opera makes a strong case for Ainadamar
15 Nov 22 / The Opera Critic
Vibrant and deft production brings Golijov’s opera to the UK
5 Nov 22 / The Guardian
Flamenco meets opera in this stirring and sensuous production of Golijov's Lorca fantasia
4 Nov 22 / The Arts Desk
A total (and often gripping) theatrical experience
4 Nov 22 / The Spectator
The whole production is a spellbinding unification of opposites
1 Nov 22 / The Scotsman
Astonishingly accomplished
1 Nov 22 / The Stage
Deborah Colker gives Golijov's Ainadamar energetic grit at Scottish Opera
1 Nov 22 / Bachtrack
In the principal roles, Scottish Opera continues to demonstrate its deft hand in casting
31 Oct 22 / The Herald
Thérèse

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 3

Justina Gringyte is a powerful Thérèse
13 Sep 22 / The Opera Critic
Deliciously over-the-top drama puts the soap into opera
13 Sep 22 / The Guardian
The performers in this Scottish Opera production embodied the lead roles as if their lives depended on it
12 Sep 22 / The Scotsman
Candide

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 3

An electrifying, immersive thrill
19 Aug 22 / The Spectator
Voltaire and Bernstein enter the social media era
15 Aug 22 / The Guardian
A hard-hitting, all-action version of Voltaire’s Candide
15 Aug 22 / The Scotsman
Don Giovanni

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 3

Betrayal. Deceit. Deception.
8 Jun 22 / The Opera Critic
Sir Thomas Allen directs a delightful Don Giovanni at Scottish Opera
24 May 22 / Bachtrack
Despite being a musical experience worth celebrating, this is a theatrical opportunity missed
20 May 22 / The Scotsman
Utopia, Limited

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 4

A classy send-up of British values
4 Apr 22 / The Guardian
British politics gets a knocking in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Utopia, Limited from Scottish Opera
11 Nov 21 / Seen and Heard
Sophistication and wit are at the heart of Utopia, Limited
8 Nov 21 / The Opera Critic
Utopia, Limited proves surprisingly timely in rare Scottish Opera revival
22 Oct 21 / Bachtrack
The Miserly Knight

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 2

Russian opera double-bill sees Scottish Opera shine
22 Mar 22 / The Guardian
An entertaining evening of Rachmaninov and Stravinsky
21 Mar 22 / The Opera Critic
Mavra

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 2

Russian opera double-bill sees Scottish Opera shine
22 Mar 22 / The Guardian
An entertaining evening of Rachmaninov and Stravinsky
21 Mar 22 / The Opera Critic
A Midsummer Night's Dream

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 5

Scottish Opera triumphs with nightmarish take on Britten
4 Mar 22 / The Guardian
Enchantment, glee and fresh voices are well met in Scottish Opera’s winning new production of Britten’s opera
27 Feb 22 / The Observer
Theatre meets opera in delightful Midsummer Night’s Dream at Scottish Opera
25 Feb 22 / Bachtrack
Dominic Hill directs a bright and fresh adaptation of Benjamin Britten's opera which puts the focus on youth
25 Feb 22 / The List
Dominic Hill’s riveting and highly original production of Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a triumph
24 Feb 22 / The Scotsman
The Gondoliers

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 7

A witty, yet upbeat and uplifting piece with stellar visuals
14 Nov 21 / The Reviews Hub
Venetian excellence in Edinburgh from Scottish Opera in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers
10 Nov 21 / Seen and Heard
As effervescent as prosecco
1 Nov 21 / The Opera Critic
Scottish Opera opens the new season with an outstanding production of The Gondoliers
24 Oct 21 / Seen and Heard
Scottish Opera's spectacular Gondoliers bump starts its new season
19 Oct 21 / Bachtrack
A picture-postcard Gilbert and Sullivan from Scottish Opera
18 Oct 21 / The Guardian
Scottish Opera brings Venetian comedy to the stage
18 Oct 21 / The National
Così fan tutte

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 1

Scottish Opera’s Così fan tutte is a triumph thanks to its six sparky soloists
11 Sep 21 / The Scotsman
Falstaff

Edinburgh International Festival


No. of reviews: 4

Much to enjoy in Scottish Opera’s new Falstaff at the Edinburgh International Festival
14 Aug 21 / Seen and Heard
Despite some strong solo performances, Scottish Opera’s Falstaff fails to raise many laughs
10 Aug 21 / The Scotsman
Scottish Opera’s Falstaff delights at the Edinburgh International Festival
10 Aug 21 / Bachtrack
A lively Falstaff deserving of a full house
10 Aug 21 / The Opera Critic
Sir David McVicar returns to Scottish Opera with new Falstaff
McVicar clearly demonstrates his palpable passion for his ­forthcoming staging of Verdi’s last opera Falstaff, which he is directing in a co-production for Scottish Opera and Santa Fe Opera in the United States.
Falstaff

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 3

This extraordinary new production of Falstaff is the perfect way to celebrate this optimistic moment for the arts
15 Jul 21 / The Scotsman
A spectacular Verdi brings colour after the lockdown gloom
15 Jul 21 / The National
Pranks and pathos as Scottish Opera’s Verdi shines
6 Jul 21 / The Guardian
L'elisir d'amore

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 1

Filmed Donizetti comedy is an operatic masterclass
20 Jun 21 / The National
Hansel und Gretel

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 4

An unsure tone with energised performances
17 Feb 21 / iNews
A fairytale for times of Covid
15 Feb 21 / The National
Fairytales in Scotland
15 Feb 21 / Planet Hugill
A little touch of magic in Scottish Opera's Hansel and Gretel
11 Feb 21 / Bachtrack
Così fan tutte

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 4

Cleverly played as a gameshow without flogging the idea
20 Dec 20 / The Observer
Eine Liebesshow
16 Dec 20 / Bachtrack (German)
Mozart’s farcical opera buffa reimagined as a manipulative TV-style reality game show.
15 Dec 20 / The Scotsman
Am-dram props and loose directorial ends don't faze a team of fine young singers
15 Dec 20 / The Arts Desk
The Diary of one who has Disappeared

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 2

A disappearing hero in Glasgow
28 Sep 20 / Planet Hugill
Locked down by loyalties? Janáček’s Diary at Scottish Opera
22 Sep 20 / Bachtrack
La bohème

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 5

Scottish Opera return to live performance with a five-star La bohème
9 Sep 20 / The Scotsman
Scottish Opera's Covid-safe Puccini is a triumph
8 Sep 20 / The Guardian
A production that lays bare the emotional heart of society in crisis
7 Sep 20 / The Herald
Consumptive Bohemians in a car park – perfect for a pandemic
7 Sep 20 / Telegraph
Top-quality cast and players put on a potted version in a parking lot
7 Sep 20 / The Arts Desk
Singing in the rain
Scottish Opera is beginning live performances again with a string of pop-up shows across the country - with musicians behind screens and singers staying three metres apart.
Nixon in China

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 8

History recreated from the archives
3 Mar 20 / The Opera Critic
Strong soloists, chorus, and orchestra are the pluses of Scottish Opera’s Nixon in China
2 Mar 20 / Seen and Heard
Stylish, powerful Nixon in China from Scottish Opera
25 Feb 20 / Bachtrack
A gripping human drama
24 Feb 20 / The Observer
A contextualised history lesson for everyone, cast included
22 Feb 20 / The Scotsman
One of the most rewarding and thought-provoking evenings that will be available in any theatre this year
20 Feb 20 / The Herald
This subtle, intelligent modern opera is still entrancing
20 Feb 20 / Telegraph
Slick update for tale of Tricky Dicky's schmoozing
20 Feb 20 / The Guardian
Iris

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 2

Mascagni's Iris well worth the effort
6 Dec 19 / The Opera Critic
Hugely popular in its day, Iris is full of musical highlights
3 Dec 19 / The Herald
Tosca

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 7

A comprehensive production
24 Nov 19 / The Reviews Hub
Breathing new life into Tosca
18 Nov 19 / The Opera Critic
A revival of its popular Tosca opens Scottish Opera’s season in Glasgow magnificently
30 Oct 19 / Seen and Heard
Natalya Romaniw an exciting Tosca in Scottish Opera’s powerful revival
29 Oct 19 / Bachtrack
Natalya Romaniw plays the pious and passionate Tosca with tremendous anguish and outrage
21 Oct 19 / The Herald
Roland Wood is a terrifying Scarpia; the whole cast vocally exhilaring
19 Oct 19 / The Scotsman
Scottish Opera's opulent staging still has plenty to say
18 Oct 19 / The Guardian
Zanetto

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 3

Swooning melodies, colour and wit
26 Sep 19 / The Guardian
Neither performer really made a compelling case for further performances
24 Sep 19 / The Herald
Mascagni and Wolf-Ferrari double bill is a great success at the Lammermuir Festival
23 Sep 19 / Seen and Heard
Il segreto di Susanna

Scottish Opera


No. of reviews: 3

Swooning melodies, colour and wit
26 Sep 19 / The Guardian
The rich orchestration of the score was given a vigorous performance
24 Sep 19 / The Herald
Mascagni and Wolf-Ferrari double bill is a great success at the Lammermuir Festival
23 Sep 19 / Seen and Heard
Breaking the Waves

Edinburgh International Festival


No. of reviews: 6

Missy Mazzoli’s opera based on Lars von Trier’s film triumphs in its European premiere
25 Aug 19 / The Observer
Von Trier's bleak drama feels lost in translation
23 Aug 19 / The Guardian
Troubling opera based on Lars von Trier’s film
23 Aug 19 / The Stage
Mazzoli’s luminous Breaking the Waves receives European premiere in Edinburgh
23 Aug 19 / Bachtrack
A ponderous new opera from Missy Mazzoli
23 Aug 19 / The Opera Critic
In Edinburgh Breaking the Waves restores faith in opera as an art form
22 Aug 19 / Seen and Heard
Missy Mazzoli: 'Breaking the Waves' deals with big ideas
Adapting Lars von Trier’s provocative 1996 film about faith and loyalty in an insular Scottish community was the first challenge. Bringing it to Scotland is the next.
next >>
Reviews search
Use this search to find historical reviews in our database
Performance schedule
Verdi
8 May to 9 Jun 2024

News & Articles

Scottish Opera announces 60th anniversary season for 2022/23
Scottish Opera has unveiled its 2022/23 Season which includes four new main stage productions, with one of the four an outdoor community opera.
19 May 2022 / Scottish Business News
Scottish Opera withdraws nomination for Sky Arts Award
The Scottish Opera has withdrawn its nomination for a Sky Arts Award for its production of Nixon in China after being criticized for its use of 'yellowface' makeup, The Times reports.
14 Jun 2021 / Broadway World
Scottish Opera announces Spring/Summer season
Scottish Opera’s forthcoming season includes two specially made films, along with plans to bring live opera back to audiences with outdoor performances in the summer.
15 Apr 2021 / Opera Now
Scottish Opera reveals plans to stage 200 'pop-up' shows
Scottish Opera has revealed plans to stage more than 200 outdoor performances for around 12,000 people across Scotland as it emerges from lockdown restrictions.
8 Apr 2021 / The Scotsman
Singing in the rain
Scottish Opera is beginning live performances again with a string of pop-up shows across the country - with musicians behind screens and singers staying three metres apart.
6 Sep 2020 / BBC News