Preview: Opera on the Fringe
With only five operas in the 2025 Edinburgh International Festival programme, it’s worth seeking out operas, musicals and operatic recitals on the Fringe. See under ‘Opera and Musicals’ on the Fringe Website for the full selection.
New Town Church Venue 111 George Street
Arias 1 Nessun Dorma: Sungho Kim tenor, Llyr Williams piano 2nd August 14.30 (£20)
Arias 2 A te, O Cara: Sungho Kim tenor, Llyr Williams piano, 9th August 14.30 (£20)
Ukraine: Andrii Kymach baritone, Jȃms Coleman piano 24th August 14.30 (£20)
Cardiff Singer of the World, held every two years, has kickstarted the careers of many singers over the last forty years. This year the BBC has cancelled it, so these three recitals by recent prize winners, Sungho Kim, tenor (Song Prize 2023) and baritone Andrii Kymach (Cardiff Singer of the World 2019) are especially welcome. Sungho Kim’s concerts celebrate the music of Puccini (on the 2nd) and Bellini (on the 9th) and both are accompanied by the supremely talented pianist Llyr Williams. Andrii Kymach’s special programme celebrates Ukraine Day on 24th August. He sings with rising-star accompanist, Jȃms Coleman.
Scenes from ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ Fife Opera 2nd August 19.30 (£15)
Fife Opera present a semi-staged, costumed version lasting 90 minutes with no interval. The cast of Scottish-based soloists and chorus will be accompanied by a chamber ensemble of piano and strings. Sung in English with English surtitles. Musical Director is the excellent arranger and accompanist, Derek Clark, formerly Head of Music at Scottish Opera, Production Director is Rosemary Nairn.
For more opera at this venue see Brian Bannatyne-Scott’s preview of his concert Afternoon Arias – A Preview — Edinburgh Music Review
St Cecilia’s Hall Venue 71 Niddry Street
‘From Cleopatra with Vengeance, an Abbreviated Opera’ 8th August 11.30 and 15.00 (£15)
In a year of short operas, Operaland’s 70 minute reduction of Handel’s ‘Julius Caesar’ is appealing, especially when it’s played on period instruments from St Cecilia’s Hall. Michael Temporal-Darrell (baritone) is Caesar, Alice Wang (soprano) is Cleopatra, and Miguel Carranza's is the costume and stage designer. All proceeds benefit the hall. Performed in Italian with English subtitles
For other Fringe concerts at St Cecilia’s Hall see St Cecilia’s Hall — Edinburgh Music Review
And What’s On - St Cecilia's Hall
Old St Pauls Venue 267 63 Jeffrey Street
‘Bluebeard’s Castle’ by Bartok: 11 performances between 1st and 24th August (£15)
Mark Burns directs soprano Catherine Backhouse, a participant in Afternoon Arias in New Town Church, as Judith, and Aberdonian bass, James Corrigan as Bluebeard in this piano-accompanied (Lliam Paterson) version of Bartok’s only opera, a 20th-century masterpiece. Old Saint Paul’s Church becomes the oppressive gothic castle in this dark psychological drama performed by two acclaimed professional opera singers in a reduced and intimate semi-staged English language version.
Stockbridge Church Venue 317 7b Saxe Coburg Street
Aria Alba Opera for All: ‘Die Fledermaus’ 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th August 1900 (£18)
This full-length performance, celebrating the composer’s 200th birthday, promises a fabulous take on Johann Strauss II’s operetta ‘Die Fledermaus’. Set in early 1990’s Edinburgh, masks, mistaken identities, trysts and twists make for a night of surprises.
Sanctuary at Paradise in Augustine’s Venue 152 41 George IV Bridge
‘Merrily We Roll Along’ Edinburgh University Savoy Opera Group,11th – 15th August 14.30(£16)
Conductor John Wilson when asked during his recent tour of music by Rodgers and Hammerstein, which other musicals he’d like to conduct, opted for Stephen Sondheim’s. This is a chance to hear one of his lesser-known works. Told ingeniously in reverse, ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ follows the lives of three estranged best friends as they navigate the highs and lows of careers in the world of Broadway. Carried by one of Sondheim’s best scores, this show redefines traditional showbiz narratives.
‘The Yeoman of the Guard’ Cat-like Tread 18th-24th August 19.45 (£15)
Cat-Like Tread have built up a following for their Gilbert and Sullivan adaptations and return with G and S’s tragi-comedy. In the Tower of London, an identity swap and an arranged marriage are put into play to save the head of a condemned man. A lovesick court jester and his maid stumble into the plot with heart-breaking results.
For full details of all productions and to book go to www.edfringe.com
