The Scottish Opera Podcast

Recorded on site during rehearsals for Edinburgh International Festival's The Galloping Cure, Jamie MacDougall takes listeners behind the scenes of The Galloping Cure . In this episode, acclaimed composer Missy Mazzoli discusses the creative development of a new opera, reflecting on what first drew her to the art form, her approach to composition, and her forthcoming opera, Lincoln in the Bar...

This podcast was produced by Podcast students Owen Stark and Gregor Farquharson at City of Glasgow College as part of our ongoing partnership with the college.  Presenter and tenor Jamie MacDougall is joined by Scottish Opera’s General Director Alex Reedijk OBE FRC and Music Director Stuart Stratford to reflect on the season just past and look ahead to the six productions coming to Scottish stages...

2026 marks 100 years since the birth of Sir Alexander Gibson, a defining figure in Scottish classical music. From his early days at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to founding Scottish Opera and leading the Scottish National Orchestra, his influence continues to shape Scotland’s musical life. In this episode we speak on location with his son, Philip Gibson. Philip reflects on his relationship...

Presenter Jamie MacDougall catches up backstage at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre with Emerging Artist Edward Jowle. This episode was recorded just as Scottish Opera’s November run of Puccini’s La bohème was about to begin, with Edward preparing to sing the role Schaunard and Jamie himself performing Alcindoro and Benoît. Edward shares how he first discovered opera, reflects on his early years of st...

Presenter Jamie MacDougall is joined by Emma Jenkins (librettist) and Toby Hession (composer) to discuss their brand new operetta, A Matter of Misconduct! As well as discussing the exciting challenges of producing a new operetta, Emma and Toby explore the first experiences of operetta and opera, and their working partnership so far.    A Matter of Misconduct!   When a scandal threatens to break ab...

This podcast features audio from an exclusive live broadcast originally shared with our patrons and donors and produced by Broadcast students at City of Glasgow College. Join acclaimed broadcaster Nicola Meighan (BBC Radio Scotland's Friday Afternoons and podcast, A Kick Up The Arts ) in conversation with General Director Alexander Reedijk OBE FRC and Music Director Stuart Stratford as they u...

Filmmaker Antonia Bain and composer Samuel Bordoli discuss the creative partnership behind "Josefine," Scottish Opera's groundbreaking animated opera short.  Drawing inspiration from Kafka's final story 'Josefine The Singer', the pair reveal how they developed their 14-minute award-winning film exploring the performer-audience relationship. They share insights on co-a...

Director Olivia Fuchs joins Jamie MacDougall in the studio to discuss her production of Leoš Janáček's opera, The Makropulos Affair.  This co-production with Welsh National Opera is Scottish Opera's first full staging of the opera since 1993. Hailed as ‘unmissable triumph’ (The Telegraph), this production focuses on the immortal Emilia Marty, or Elina Makropulos, a woman who has managed...

Produced by Kayleigh and Grace from the City of Glasgow College.  Presenter Jamie MacDougall chats to director Rebecca Meltzer and Baritone Emerging Artist, Ross Cumming, and about the Opera Highlights tour.  This season’s snappy, playful show by director Rebecca Meltzer and designer Kenneth MacLeod explores and celebrates Scotland’s rich landscape. The operatic snapshots, curated for the first ti...

This episode was produced in partnership with City of Glasgow College, and supported by broadcast students, Kayleigh, Grace, and Ophelia. Join our presenter Jamie MacDougall as he chats to Karen MacIver, composer for Special Delivery. Entirely led by music , Special Delivery is a new children’s production for ages 3-7 produced in-house at Lanternhouse, a state-of-the-art performing arts centre bas...

Our presenter Jamie MacDougall sat down to discuss The Small Magician with Lea Shaw, Scottish Opera's Education Artist in Residence. Supported by Scottish Opera, The Small Magician is a new, trauma-aware, inclusive, accessible series of vocal education resources in the form of workbooks, and audio and video guides. Designed to be a safe way for you to explore and foster curiosity - using your...

Presenter Jamie MacDougall welcomes our listeners into the whimsical world of Donizetti's Don Pasquale, as he hosts internationally acclaimed director-designer duo Barbe & Doucet, alongside star baritone David Stout to discuss Scottish Opera's production. This beloved production has charmed audiences from Miami to Toronto since its 2014 debut with Scottish Opera. Barbe & Doucet s...