Creative Opportunities for Business

Scottish Opera has extensive resources available to create unique and memorable events for businesses to involve staff, clients and other stakeholders.

Here are some events that were specially created for businesses by Scottish Opera:

‘Behind the Scenes’ tour of Scottish Opera’s Production Studios

A group of senior business executives from Germany, who were in Scotland for a conference, were treated to a tailor-made tour of Scottish Opera’s Production Studios as a social event in their conference programme.

Members of the group were taken on a guided tour, which started in the principal rehearsal room where the partially built set of La traviata was on display. Scottish Opera’s Staff Producer gave an entertaining overview of the production currently in rehearsal and an insight into the busy world of creating opera. The group saw sets taking shape in the workshop and models of the La traviata production in the paintshop. The Head Scenic Artist and Head of Props spoke to the group about scene painting and prop making. The party then explored the enormous props and wardrobe stores and found out how wigs are made.

After afternoon tea provided in the Production Studios’ café, there was time for a presentation about the inner workings of an opera company with the Artists’ Manager and Director of Fundraising & Sponsorship.

‘Introduction to Opera and backstage experience for Blyth and Blyth

In Autumn 2008, Edinburgh-based engineering firm Blyth and Blyth undertook its first arts sponsorship by sponsoring a performance of The Secret Marriage at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh and entertaining a group of key clients. The sponsorship received a Scottish Government New Arts Sponsorship Grant (administered by Arts & Business), and with the additional funds Scottish Opera was able to offer additional sponsorship benefits, including an introduction to opera for Blyth and Blyth staff and their families.

Blyth and Blyth’s additional sponsorship was of The Secret Marriage Unwrapped presentation at the Festival Theatre and a group of their staff attended the event. Most of the group had never been to an opera before, so the one-hour introduction to the full-length opera was an excellent ‘taster’.

After the show the guests were able to discuss the presentation on a backstage tour led by the Stage Manager of The Secret Marriage. This enabled them all to experience the ‘engineering side’ of Scottish Opera.

To discuss creative events that can be tailored for your business, please contact Jenny Kempton or Penny Lewis.