Wednesday 11 February 2026 marks 100 years since the birth of Sir Alexander Gibson, Scottish Opera's founder. The legacy Sir Alex left for Scottish Opera and the Scottish classical music scene as a whole is expansive and still leaving its impact today.
Dubbed ‘the maestro fae Motherwell’, Sir Alex became the first Scot and longest-serving Principal Conductor and Music Director of the Scottish National Orchestra (now RSNO) in 1959. A few years into this role, in 1962, Sir Alexander founded Scottish Opera alongside Ainslie Millar, Ian Rodger, and Richard Telfer. A former student of RCS (then the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama), the Alexander Gibson Opera School in Glasgow was established in his memory, along with a fellowship for choral conductors.
The three organisations are holding a centenary celebration at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Wednesday 25 February to showcase his achievements and highlight the work of the companies in continuing to bring world-class opera and music to a diverse range of audiences in communities the length and breadth of Scotland. It is hosted by Clare Adamson MSP, representing Motherwell and Whishaw and Convener of the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs, and Culture Committee; and by Michelle Thomson MSP, Convener of the Cross-Party Group on Music.
Alex Reedijk OBE FRC, Scottish Opera’s General Director said: ‘We are looking forward to celebrating Sir Alexander’s life with his family, special guests, and our friends from the RSNO and RCS. He founded Scottish Opera "to lay the treasures of opera at the feet of the people of Scotland" and was a tireless champion of Scottish music and musicians. The lasting impact of Sir Alex’s vision and leadership on Scottish culture cannot be overstated.
‘The world premiere of our production of Dai Fujikura’s and Harry Ross’ The Great Wave on Thursday 12 February, at Theatre Royal Glasgow will be dedicated to Sir Alex to mark his birthday.’
Sir Alex attended Dalziel High School in Motherwell, where he appeared as the Major-General in a production of The Pirates of Penzance, aged 14, then studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music (now the RCS) and at Glasgow University. After serving with the Royal Signals during World War II, he studied at the Royal College of Music in London; the Mozarteum, Salzburg under Igor Markevitch; and under Paul Van Kempen at the Accademia Chigiana, Siena.
He went straight from his studies into a role as repetiteur at Sadler’s Wells Opera in London, returning to Scotland as Assistant Conductor to Ian Whyte at the BBC Scottish Orchestra (now the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra) from 1952 to 1954. He rejoined Sadler’s Wells as a staff conductor in 1954 and was appointed its Music Director in 1957 – at 31, the company’s youngest. He conducted a total of 26 operas at Sadler’s Wells and made his Covent Garden debut in 1957 with Tosca.
Two years later, Sir Alex was offered the principal conductorship of the Scottish National Orchestra, a role he had for 25 years. He had a vision of creating Scotland’s first professional opera company, making use of the Scottish National Orchestra outside of its season.
The new Scottish Opera gave its first season in 1962 at the King’s Theatre, Glasgow, with productions of Madama Butterfly and Pelléas and Mélisande with the SNO performing in the pit. During his tenure he conducted four world premieres mounted by Scottish Opera as well as the first production of Les Troyens to perform both halves of the opera in a single night.
In 1975, Scottish Opera moved to the Theatre Royal in Glasgow. The Orchestra of Scottish Opera was founded in 1980, supporting the work of the Company full-time. Sir Alexander continued as Music Director until 1987, when he became the Company’s first Conductor Laureate; he was to return many times as Guest Conductor. His final production with the Company was Tosca in 1993.
His many awards included two Grand Prix International de l’Academie Charles Cros Awards, the Sibelius Medal in 1978, and honorary doctorates from Aberdeen, Glasgow, Newcastle, Stirling, York and the Open Universities. He was made CBE in 1967 and knighted in 1977. He also served as Principal Guest Conductor of the Houston Symphony Orchestra from 1981-1983.
Sir Alex died in 1995, aged 68, and was survived by his wife Lady Veronica Gibson (who served as President of Scottish Opera from 2013-2022) and their four children. Sir Alex and Lady Gibson met during their respective times at Sadler’s Wells – he as conductor and she as a dancer – and Lady Gibson's championship of Scottish Opera, including hosting visiting artists and assisting costume and prop makers, was invaluable during the Company’s formative years.
In 2000, The Alexander Gibson Circle launched to support a new Scottish Opera production each Season. The Circle has supported recent productions including A Midsummer Night's Dream (2022), Il trittico (2023), Marx in London! (2024), The Makropulos Affair (2025), and The Great Wave (2026).
As a member of The Alexander Gibson Circle, you join a group of like-minded people who love and value Scottish Opera. You will get closer to all that we do, and find out what goes on behind-the-scenes through invitations to events with singers, directors and other members of the Scottish Opera team.
Most importantly, you'll be part of the team that makes opera happen. Each Season, our family of Patrons supports a brand new production – bringing fresh storytelling, passionate music-making and world-class performances to Scottish audiences. Join here