This month we bid farewell to our wonderful Head of Music Derek Clark, who has retired after an incredible 25-year career at Scottish Opera.
Derek has played a pivotal role in Scottish Opera’s many successes. His exceptional musicality and proficiency have been on hand in every situation along with his encyclopaedic knowledge of opera and classical music providing advice and guidance across the company.
A musical polymath, Derek turned his hand to whatever was required, be it composition, orchestration, casting, arrangements, conducting or piano accompaniment.
He devised the programme for Opera Highlights (formally known as Essential Scottish Opera) since his appointment in 1997, creating a delightfully diverse musical evening for 4 young singers accompanied by piano that tours to over 35 communities across Scotland every year. Derek also played a key role in Scottish Opera’s hugely successful Five:15 Operas Made in Scotland along with tutoring and mentoring many Scottish Opera Emerging Artists.
Derek is one of the UK’s most respected scholars of the operas of Gilbert & Sullivan. In preparation for new productions at Scottish Opera, that most recently included The Gondoliers and Utopia, Limited, he would spend hours studying the original scores and manuscripts in The British Library, ensuring our performances were as authentic as possible to the composer’s original intentions.
Scottish Opera's General Director, Alex Reedijk, praised Derek’s contributions to the company. ‘Derek has been an integral part of Scottish Opera for a quarter of a century, and his passion for music has been an inspiration to us all,’ he said. ‘We will miss his leadership, his deep knowledge and his talent. Congratulations on your many achievements with Scottish Opera Derek – have a very happy retirement!’
Derek bowed out in style, conducting the final performance of Puccini’s Il trittico at Festival Theatre Edinburgh where he received huge cheers and a standing ovation from the capacity audience.
‘Derek can do it!’ is a special leaving present, which you can watch here!