Glasgow’s Doors Open Day Festival takes place from Thursday 18 September to Sunday 21 September across Glasgow, with over 150 captivating buildings, hidden spaces, factories, theatres, museum stores and architectural and cultural gems across the city opening to the public. You can find out more about Glasgow's Doors Open Day Festival on their website. You can visit Scottish Opera premises at the following times:
Elmbank Crescent: Thursday 18 September, 12-3pm
Edington Street: Saturday 20 September, 10.30am-2.30pm
Built in 1907, Scottish Opera at Elmbank Crescent was originally constructed for the Institution of Shipbuilders and Engineers in Scotland and was designed by John Bennie Wilson. The building has been Scottish Opera’s administrative premises since 1962.
On Thursday 18 September, visitors will be free to explore the features of the building’s interior, including a memorial to two Glaswegian engineers who died on the ill-fated maiden voyage of the Titanic in 1912. Other notable features include the grand marble staircase, the impressive stained-glass and detailed plasterwork throughout the building, paying tribute to Glasgow’s maritime past.
On Saturday 20 September, Scottish Opera’s Production Studios on Edington Street will be open to the public, with studio tours taking place at 10.30am, 11.30am and 1pm. The tours are free but booking is required via our website.
Visitors to the building can drop in at any time to see props and costumes in the foyer space, and learn more about the work we do across departments, bringing opera to the stage and into communities across Scotland.
The studio tours will allow visitors into the behind-the-scenes studio spaces, where talented carpenters, metalworkers, prop makers, and painters bring stunning scenery and props to life. You’ll also have a chance to pop into the rehearsal room, and see the La bohème set before it makes its way to Theatre Royal, Glasgow for performances in October.
La bohème is touring to Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh from 11 October to 22 November. You can book tickets here.