Audio Description & Touch Tours
Mention opera and most people think of singing and music – but this is only part of the overall experience. What about scenery, costumes, lighting, direction and choreography?
For those who are living with sight loss, our audio description service provides a live commentary, describing the action on stage without compromising the music. As part of the experience, recorded information about the opera is available in advance online, and there is a live audio introduction before the start of the performance. When you arrive at your chosen performance, please make yourself known to a member of the front of house team and they will provide you with your audio description headset.
At full-length performances, audience members can also book a free touch tour – an opportunity to become more familiar with the set, scenery, props, and costumes before the performance starts. This aims to help audience members with sight loss immerse themselves in the world presented on stage, with audio describers, stage management, and wardrobe staff present to answer any questions and share descriptions or interpretations of the space.
Guide dogs are welcome at all of our venues.
To learn more about our audio-described performances and touch tours, or if you need help with your booking, click the button below:
contact us
'To attend with my guide dog, be on stage to “see” costumes and props, to hear the amazing orchestra and singing and to have the audio description describe every nuance was captivating. Thank you!'
- Audience member after the touch tour for La traviata in 2024
Coming up
Theatre Royal GlasgowThe Marriage of Figaro
Audio-described performance: 17 May 2026, 3pm
(Touch Tour 1.45pm)
Access performance, also audio-described: 22 May 2026, 3pm
To book the audio-described performance, click here.
To book for the Touch Tour click here or call 0333 009 5399.
To book for the Access performance, click here.
Turandot
Audio-described performance: 25 October 2026, 3pm
(Touch Tour 1.45pm)
On sale 28 May 2026
Alcina
Audio-described performance: 14 February 2027, 3pm
(Touch Tour 1.45pm)
On sale 28 May 2026
Fidelio
Audio-described performance: 19 February 2027, 7.15pm
(Touch Tour 6pm)
On sale 28 May 2026
Madama Butterfly
Audio-described performance: 9 May 2027, 3pm
(Touch Tour 1.45pm)
Access performance, also audio-described: 20 May 2027, 3pm
On sale 28 May 2026
Così fan tutte
Audio-described performance: 21 May 2027, 7.15pm
(Touch Tour 6pm)
On sale 28 May 2026
His Majesty's Theatre, AberdeenThe Marriage of Figaro
Audio-described performance: 13 June 2026, 7.15pm
(Touch Tour 6pm)
To book the audio-described performance, click here.
To book for the Touch Tour, call 0122 464 1122.
Madama Butterfly
Audio-described performance: 19 May 2027, 5pm
(Touch Tour 3.45pm)
On sale 28 May 2026
Festival Theatre EdinburghThe Marriage of Figaro
Audio-described performance: 31 May 2026, 3pm
(Touch Tour 1.45pm)
Access performance, also audio-described: 5 June 2026, 3pm
To book the audio-described performance, click here.
To book for the Touch Tour, call 0131 529 6000.
To book for the Access performance, click here.
Turandot
Audio-described performance: 22 November 2026, 3pm
(Touch Tour 1.45pm)
On sale 28 May 2026
Alcina
Audio-described performance: 27 February 2027, 7.15pm
(Touch Tour 6pm)
On sale 28 May 2026
Fidelio
Audio-described performance: 26 February 2027, 7.15pm
(Touch Tour 6pm)
On sale 28 May 2026
Madama Butterfly
Audio-described performance: 30 May 2027, 3pm
(Touch Tour 1.45pm)
Access performance, also audio-described: 4 June 2027, 3pm
On sale 28 May 2026
Così fan tutte
Audio-described performance: 2 June 2027, 7.15pm
(Touch Tour 6pm)
On sale 28 May 2026
eden court, invernessThe Marriage of Figaro
Audio-described performance: 20 June 2026, 7.15pm
(Touch Tour 6pm)
To book the audio-described performance, click here.
To book for the Touch Tour, call 01463 234 234.
Madama Butterfly
Audio-described performance: 12 June 2027, 5pm
(Touch Tour 3.45pm)
On sale 28 May 2026
Listen to our recorded introductions
Listen to an introduction to La bohème, including a synopsis, information on sets, cast, costumes, music, and an interview with Second Assistant Director Iona Boyd:
Listen to recorded introductions to previous productions on Bandcamp>>
Watch our audio-described films

L'elisir d'amore
Donizetti
Hansel and Gretel
Humperdinck
Così fan Tutte
Mozart
The Diary of One Who Disappeared
JanáčekContact us
To learn more about our audio-described performances and touch tours, or if you need help with your booking, please get in touch with Scottish Opera reception at 0141 248 4567 or complete the form below: