Film: The Diary of One Who Disappeared
Janáček’s feverish fable of obsessive love, desire and escape, filmed in Glasgow's Theatre Royal in a specially created concert performance for the Lammermuir Festival 2020.
Gifts in Wills
Join the Dame Janet Baker Circle and help support Scottish Opera for years to come
Looking to leave a lasting impression? Scottish Opera encourages those who care deeply about having a national opera company to remember Scottish Opera with a gift in their Will. All gifts in Wills are directed to the Scottish Opera Endowment Trust, which invests these gifts carefully, gradually growing the capital and generating income to support the Company where it is needed most. This ensures gifts will support Scottish Opera for years to come.
Those who wish to give in this way are invited to join the Dame Janet Baker Circle, which enables Scottish Opera to recognise their generosity during their lifetime. Members enjoy a close relationship with us through annual behind-the-scenes events.
Did you know? You can make a gift at any time to the Scottish Opera Endowment Trust, either in memory of a loved one or simply as a one-off donation.
Welcome from Dame Janet Baker
'I first heard Scottish Opera on the radio and I instantly felt that there was something quite special going on – something I would very much like to be involved in. Shortly after, I was invited to perform with the Company. My first role was Dorabella in Cosi fan tutte.
I loved performing in Cosi and many other productions and, because of this, Scottish Opera holds a very dear place in my heart. If your life too has been touched by Scottish Opera, I do hope you will join me in supporting the Company through a gift in your Will.
As a special thank you, I invite you to join the Dame Janet Baker Circle – a group of people who, linked by their love of opera, enjoy a close relationship with Scottish Opera in their lifetime, and help ensure its continued success in the future.'
— Dame Janet Baker, DBE
For more than 50 years Scottish Opera has been the beating heart of opera in Scotland, bringing entertainment, joy and exhilarating experiences to young and old.
As a charity, Scottish Opera relies on support to deliver its breadth of activity. We receive two thirds of our income from the Scottish Government with the balance coming from ticket sales, trusts and foundations, earned income and donations, including gifts in Wills. The gifts we receive in Wills play a vital role in supporting our activity and making opera accessible to all.
If Scottish Opera has played a part in your life, please consider leaving the Company a gift in your Will.
What could my gift support?
Gifts left in Wills to Scottish Opera support the great breadth of our activity and are directed to the Scottish Opera Endowment Trust. The Endowment Trust invests these gifts carefully, gradually growing the capital and generating income to support the Company where we need it most. This ensures your gift will help sustain Scottish Opera for generations to come.
Established in 1971, the Scottish Opera Endowment Trust has helped to make – and continues to make – innumerable projects and productions possible; these are just a few:
- Main Stage Productions – Performances of full-scale opera in major venues throughout Scotland and beyond
- Supporting Young Talent – Young singers, repetiteurs, costume makers and composers
- Scottish Opera's Production Studios – Where the magic begins and our artisans build, paint and create our sets, props, costumes and wigs
- World-class Outreach and Education Work – Including primary school tours and dementia friendly workshops
- New Opera Commissions and Premieres – Exciting, original work from new creative teams
'The course of my life changed dramatically when I discovered I had a voice, and that people wanted to hear me sing. Your life too is enhanced by the pleasure of hearing singing, and seeing productions of the highest quality. You can ensure that experience continues to grow by remembering Scottish Opera with a gift in your Will.'
— Sir Thomas Allen, baritone and President of Scottish Opera
Proudly supporting this Season...
L’heure espagnole / The Bear
Double Bill
From Thursday, 04 September 2025
Heroines & Heroes
Tchaikovsky
From Wednesday, 10 December 2025
Tristan und Isolde
Wagner
From Saturday, 07 March 2026
The Making of a Scottish Opera Costume
The Painting of a Scottish Opera Backcloth
Film: Opera Highlights
Filmed at the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock in October 2020, our filmed version of Opera Highlights brought the joy of opera to audiences at home when we weren't able to welcome them to the theatre.
'It has been my privilege to watch and help foster the growth of the Endowment Trust in recent years thanks to gifts in Wills. Our long-term goal is to use this growth to help realise artistically ambitious projects and expand our reach even further. But to get there, we'll need your help.'
— Alex Reedijk, Scottish Opera General Director
How do I leave a gift in my Will?
Ways you can remember Scottish Opera in your Will:
- A residuary gift – a percentage, or the remainder, of your estate after other wishes have been met
- A pecuniary gift – a specific sum of money
Making a Will for the first time
We would advise you to consult a qualified solicitor and appoint executors to ensure your wishes are fulfilled correctly. You can find a solicitor near you by searching the Law Society's website.
If you already have a Will
If you would like to include a gift to Scottish Opera, you can add a codicil with the help of your solicitor. A codicil allows you to update your existing Will without the need to re-write it.
Your solicitor will need the following information:
Scottish Opera
39 Elmbank Crescent
Glasgow G2 4PT
Scottish Charity Number SC019787
Reduce your inheritance tax
Your gift will be exempt from inheritance tax and could help to reduce the tax burden on your estate. In all cases, we advise you to consult your solicitor.
Get in touch
For more information, please contact Carole Gallen, Donor Development Manager who will be happy to answer any questions.
0141 242 0615