Scottish Opera – Massenet’s Thérèse
St Mary’s Parish Church, Haddington
Thu 8 Sept 7.30pm
Thérèse
Armand de Clerval
Morel
André Thorel
Concert Staging
Conductor
Half price concessions for students in full time education
Reviews 10.09.22
‘It speaks highly of the festival’s adventurous spirit that a rarity such as this was chosen for the opener’ **** The Times
‘A stage laden with talent.’ ***** The Scotsman
‘Glorious performance.’ **** The Herald
Scottish Opera returns to the festival with a semi-staged performance of an exciting operatic rarity. Massenet’s Thérèse (1907) is a passionate two-act opera set in the French Revolution and its combination of heady romanticism and verismo theatricality makes for an intensely dramatic evening. Thérèse is torn between duty and love, and her fateful choice drives the opera inexorably towards its tragic denouement. The title role is taken by one of today’s most exciting singers – Justina Gringyté. This is almost certainly the Scottish premiere of Thérèse – a must for all opera lovers!
Alexandra Cravero has become something of a specialist for French 19th-century repertoire and her performances of Massenet’s La Vierge for the Massenet Festival in St Etienne last year received excellent reviews. Alexandra conducted La Dame Blanche for the Opera de Nice in 2021 and next season will conduct a number of major French orchestras including the Theatre du Capitole Toulouse. This summer she conducts performances of Werther both in France and Dublin.
Sung in French with English surtitles translated by Jonathan Burton
This opera had a winning ace in the form of a really tall and elegant international mezzo singer with her warm, dramatic and powerful voice – Justina Gringyte, a born diva
Jerusalem Post
Seating Plan
See ticket prices for St Mary’s Parish Church, Haddington below.
St Mary’s Parish Church, Haddington
The Collegiate Church of St Mary the Virgin is one of the great ecclesiastical buildings of mediaeval Scotland, founded in 1380 and known for centuries as "The Lamp of Lothian".
It was severely damaged in the 16th Century during Henry VIII's 'Rough Wooing' of Scotland, and after the Reformation only the nave was used as a parish church, with the choir and tower remaining roofless.
It was finally restored to its former glory in the 1970s, and is Scotland's longest church as well as one of its most beautiful, with a wonderfully warm, resonant acoustic.
Address
St Mary’s Parish Church, Haddington
EH41 4BZ
Getting there by bus
Buses passing trough Haddington
EAST COAST BUSES: X6, X7, 106
PRENTICE: 108, 109, 101, 111, 122
EVE COACHES: 121
Please check bus timetables before booking your tickets.
Getting there by train
The nearest station is Drem.
Getting there by car
Haddington is off the A1. There are two exits off the A1 coming from the east or the west.
Accessibility
Parking:There is free on-street parking, 100m from the church, on the road, and throughout the town.
We can offer 3 spaces inside the church grounds, buy the side of the church, for blue badge holders. Please email [email protected] to book a space, subject to availability and on a first come first served basis.
Terrain:Tarmac and gravel.
Induction Loop:
Yes
Toilets:
Good male/female provision plus adapted toilet for disabled.
Access is easier via the North Side (side) door, next to the blue badge parking spaces, and open 30 minutes before concert. There will be a volunteer steward in a high vis jacket who will provide assistance. There is level access into venue.
