Scottish Opera – Massenet’s Thérèse

St Mary’s Parish Church, Haddington

Thu 8 Sept 7.30pm

Duration: 1 hr 30 mins approx

Seating is unreserved within each price area

Thérèse
Armand de Clerval
Morel
André Thorel



Concert Staging
Conductor

Half price concessions for students in full time education

c3-scottish-opera

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.

St. Mary’s Parish Church, Haddington

Address

St. Mary’s Parish Church, Haddington
EH41 4BZ

Getting there by bus

Several Edinburgh to Haddington routes to the Market Street bus stop. All drop off in the High St, approx. 5-8 mins walk from the church.

Getting there by train

Edinburgh to North Berwick service every hour. Nearest station is Drem. Taxi info on station notice board.

Getting there by car

Haddington is 20 miles East of Edinburgh along the A1 dual carriageway. Travelling East take the second exit to Haddington – St Mary’s is signposted from the main road. Look to the South, and you will see the old church tower in the distance.

Accessibility

Parking:

There is free on-street parking 100m from the church, on the road, and throughout the town.

Only disabled parking is allowed in the church grounds. There are 3 disabled spaces for blue badge holders. Please email [email protected] if you require one of these spaces. First come, first served.

UPDATE: There are no blue badge spaces left for 14/09 Royal Northern Sinfonia or 18/09 BBC SSO concerts.

Terrain:

Tarmac and gravel

Induction Loop:
Yes

Toilets:
Good male/female provision plus adapted toilet for disabled.

Wheelchair Access:

Access is via the North Side (side) door, available 30 minutes before concert. Press bell for assistance. Level access into venue.

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