Audio Description & Touch Tours
Designed for those with a visual impairment, our audio-described performances feature a live commentary describing what’s happening on stage without compromising the music. Touch Tours also available.
Find out how you can get involved by becoming a Supporter of Scottish Opera, or continue to make a one-off contribution below:
Janáček
The Makropulos AffairNew production
Theatre Royal Glasgow:
15, 19 & 22 February 2025, 7.15pm
Festival Theatre Edinburgh:
27 February & 1 March 2025, 7.15pm
★★★★★ - The Telegraph
★★★★ - Bachtrack
★★★★ - The Guardian
‘Olivia Fuchs’s new production convinces me that this is Janáček’s most powerful and innovative, if not greatest, stage work’ - The Arts Desk
Hailed as an ‘unmissable triumph’ (The Telegraph) and nominated for a 2022 Southbank Sky Arts Award, this co-production of Janáček’s mature masterpiece returns to Scottish Opera in its first full staging since 1993.
Emilia Marty is a stylish, enigmatic diva with a secret. For over three centuries, she has lived many lives, in a quest to become a great opera singer. Emilia - also known as Enila Makropulos, or simply E.M. - captivates minds and hearts along her journey through time and across Europe. Her existence raises questions of science and nature, reality and fantasy, and life and death. But as the elixir she was given begins to lose its power, the secrets of her lives and loves begin to come to light. She can no longer escape from these essential human tensions.
Olivia Fuchs’ ‘emotionally driven direction’ (The Telegraph) is supported by Nicola Turner’s multi-layered, poetic designs. Sung in English, Orla Boylan (Marx in London! 2024) leads as Emilia Marty, with Ryan Capozzo (Scottish Opera debut) as Albert Gregor. Joining them are Henry Waddington (Greek 2018) as Doctor Kolenatý, and Mark Le Brocq (Nixon in China 2020) as Vitek. The Orchestra of Scottish Opera, conducted by Martyn Brabbins, brings out every dramatic nuance.
New co-production with Welsh National Opera
Kindly supported by The Alexander Gibson Circle
Part of Scottish Opera's 2024/25 Season
Order a hard copy of the new Season brochure>>
Running time:
Approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes including a 20-minute interval
Language:
Sung in English with English supertitles
Translation by David Pountney
Ticket price:
From £22.75 to £98.75 – prices vary by venue
Concessions:
£15 tickets for Under 26s >>
Concessions vary by venue
Designed for those with a visual impairment, our audio-described performances feature a live commentary describing what’s happening on stage without compromising the music. Touch Tours also available.
Find out more about box office opening hours, travel information and access within the building in all venues.
Get closer to the action and see into the minds of the creatives behind the production by attending a pre-show talk
For patrons with a visual impairment - free touch tour of the set, scenery, props and costumes
Emilia Marty
Orla Boylan
Albert Gregor
Ryan Capozzo
Doctor Kolenatý
Henry Waddington
Vitek
Mark Le Brocq
Kristina
Catriona Hewitson
Baron Jaroslav Prus
Roland Wood
Janek Prus
Michael Lafferty
Count Hauk-Šendorf
Alasdair Elliott
Stage Technician
Edward Jowle*
*2024/25 Emerging Artist
The Orchestra of Scottish Opera
The Chorus of The Makropulos Affair
Conductor
Martyn Brabbins
Director
Olivia Fuchs
Designer
Nicola Turner
Lighting Designer
Robbie Butler
Video Designer
Sam Sharples
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 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, a recorded introduction to the opera is available in advance and there is a live audio introduction before the start of the performance.
Patrons with a visual impairment can also book onto a free touch tour – an opportunity to go backstage and become more familiar with the set, scenery, props and costumes.
Please book in advance for audio-described performances and touch tours by calling the venue box offices:
Theatre Royal Glasgow:
22 February 2025, 7.15pm - touch tour at 6pm
Book now
Festival Theatre Edinburgh:
1 March 2025, 7.15pm - touch tour at 6pm
Book now
Listen to a recorded introduction of The Makropulos Affair: