Award-winning Scottish composer Craig Armstrong has released his first ever recorded opera, The Lady From The Sea, featuring The Orchestra Of Scottish Opera and a stunning cast, conducted by our Head of Music Derek Clark.
We originally staged The Lady From The Sea in 2012 alongside Edinburgh International Festival, where it was directed by Harry Fehr, with stage design by Yannis Thavoris and featured film by video designer Finn Ross.
This re-telling of Henrik Ibsen’s darkly beautiful drama written in 1888, unites Craig Armstrong and award-winning author Zoë Strachan. Recorded at our Edington Street production studios with a cast featuring Rebecca Bottone, Mark Milhofer, Sarah Shorter, Daire Halpin, Stephan Loges, Alexander Sprague, David Morrison and Benedict Nelson, this is a chance to hear the stunning music once again, available here.
Alex Reedijk, our General Director, said: ‘We are delighted with the release of this wonderful opera, commissioned for our 50th Anniversary in 2012. Craig Armstrong remains one of the most influential and talented Scottish composers, widely recognised internationally, and we were privileged to be able to work so closely with him on this project.’
The Lady From The Sea tells the story of Ellida, the daughter of a lighthouse-keeper, who lives a narrow life with a husband several years her senior. Full of longing for the sea and for a freedom she does not have, she is shaken from her lethargy when the unexpected arrival of a mysterious stranger creates a storm that threatens to submerge the whole family. He offers an escape from the stifling world she inhabits, and Ellida must decide whether to do her duty or answer the call of the sea.
This recording was supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland, Scottish Opera, and the PRS Foundation (www.prsformusicfoundation.com)