Golden gala concerts for Fife Opera as theatre company turns 50
To mark its golden anniversary, Fife Opera is holding a series of concerts next week.
The concerts will feature some of the best known and loved music in opera featuring soloists and chorus from the company who have performed during its 50 years.
The programme will also feature music that was sung in the company’s very first concert.
The gala concerts will take place at three locations around the Kingdom.
The first event is in the Church Hall on Main Street, Aberdour on Tuesday, April 14. This will be followed by a performance at Falkland Parish Church on Thursday, April 16 and at Leven Parish Church (Scoonie) on Friday, April 17.
All three concerts will begin at 7.30pm.
Fife Opera was inaugurated in 1976 by a few interested individuals and the organisation “Arts in Fife" set up to promote serious music and art in the region. Its ultimate aim was to produce and perform an opera, and in order to gain funding for this they held a series of concerts.
One of the group’s founding members, Pat Fraser from Kingskettle, remembers it as an exciting time which was new to Fife as it gave lots of opportunities for burgeoning singers to sing opera as soloists or in the chorus and established the tradition of singing in English to make it understandable to a local audience.
Fife Opera’s first grand opera was Carmen, which was performed in 1979, although they had previously performed Amahl and the night visitors, a smaller scale opera in 1977.
Many music teachers and instructors in Fife became involved in the productions, or in the orchestra, as did also many local people without formal training but with a love of the music.
One of the company’s aims was to provide opportunities for younger people in order to give them experience and help their careers.
One young member, Beth Taylor, who appeared in 2016 in Eugene Onegin, went on to appear in the final of Cardiff singer of the world in 2025.
There have been many others who have developed successful careers in singing. The company are hoping that the next 50 years will be as exciting as the last if not even better.
Tickets for the gala concerts are available by calling 01592 596704 or online via www.ticketsource.co.uk/fife-opera