Hirda is a new opera inspired by the songs, stories, history and heritage of the Shetland Isles. A collaboration between Shetland fiddler and composer, Chris Stout, classical composer Gareth Williams, and librettist Sian Evans, Hirda tells the story of Alastair, a once successful actor who returns to his island home for the wedding of his brother. Everyone’s world is turned upside down when Alastair and his sister-in-law find that they have a strong attraction to each other.The contemporary setting is interwoven with another story about a 19th century woman and her sailor fiancé, told through letters they wrote to each other. The opera is performed using Shetland words and dialect (‘Hirda’ is a Shetlandic word meaning, ‘chaos’, ‘confusion’ or ‘extreme untidiness’).
The production will be premièred in the Mareel Arts Centre in Lerwick, Shetland on 26 November, before touring the Shetland Islands. This will be followed by performances in Edinburgh’s Queen’s Hall and Drygate brewery in Glasgow (details below).
Hirda is a part of NOISE’s ongoing objective to create opera for particular communities throughout Scotland, inspired by specific places, their history and stories of the people connected with them. This is NOISE’s second full opera, following the success of the Sloans Project.
Cast
Jonathan Best bass, James
Marie Claire Breen soprano, Margaret
Jamie MacDougall tenor, Iain
Laura Margaret Smith mezzo-soprano,Muireall
Douglas Nairne baritone, Alastair
Shuna Sendall soprano, Elsa
Conductor Gareth Williams
Director James Robert Carson
Designer Alice Hebdon
LX Designer Francis John Stevenson
Project Manager Lucy Deere
Performance dates:
SHETLAND ISLES
Thursday 26 November at 7:30pm
* world première *
Mareel Arts Centre, Lerwick
info / tickets
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Friday 27 November at 7:30pm
Hall, Haroldswick
info / tickets
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Saturday 28 November at 7:30pm
Hall, Vidlin
info / tickets
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Sunday 29 November at 3:00pm
Hall, Sandwick
info / tickets
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EDINBURGH
Thursday 3 & Friday 4 December at 7:30pm
The Queen’s Hall
info / tickets
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GLASGOW
Monday 7 & Tuesday 8 December at 7:30pm
Drygate Brewery
info / tickets
For additional press information please contact:
Robert Carson 07974 007440 jamesrcarson[at]hotmail[dot]com