The Scottish Opera Podcast

Season 2026/2027

This podcast was produced by Podcast students Owen Stark and Gregor Farquharson at City of Glasgow College as part of our ongoing partnership with the college.  Presenter and tenor Jamie MacDougall is joined by Scottish Opera’s General Director Alex Reedijk OBE FRC and Music Director Stuart Stratford to reflect on the season just past and look ahead to the six productions coming to Scottish stages in 2026/27. These operas ask questions about identity, freedom, love, betrayal, and what it really means to stand up for truth. Spanning almost 300 years of operatic innovation, this Season is filled with stories of transformation and transcendence, many centred on complex, powerful women, and the artists shaping opera’s future today. Whether you’re new to opera or a seasoned fan, there’s something here to challenge, surprise, and treasure.

Series 2. Episode 2. Celebrating Sir Alexander Gibson.

2026 marks 100 years since the birth of Sir Alexander Gibson, a defining figure in Scottish classical music. From his early days at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to founding Scottish Opera and leading the Scottish National Orchestra, his influence continues to shape Scotland’s musical life. In this episode we speak on location with his son, Philip Gibson. Philip reflects on his relationship with his father, Sir Alexander’s impact on Scotland’s music, his love of Sibelius, his knighthood, the cast parties that filled his working life and the fact that Philip was born the day after Scottish Opera was founded.

Series 2. Episode 1. Emerging Artist Edward Jowle reflects on a year with Scottish Opera.

Presenter Jamie MacDougall catches up backstage at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre with Emerging Artist Edward Jowle. This episode was recorded just as Scottish Opera’s November run of Puccini’s La bohème was about to begin, with Edward preparing to sing the role Schaunard and Jamie himself performing Alcindoro and Benoît. Edward shares how he first discovered opera, reflects on his early years of study, and describes the thrill of stepping onto the Scottish Opera stage for the first time in October 2025. He also talks about working alongside his fellow bohemians, Mario Chang, Roland Wood, and Callum Thorpe and what life has been like behind the scenes. Produced outside of the studio and on on location by Melissa Jones.

Episode eight - Writing a new operetta with Emma Jenkins and Toby Hession

Presenter Jamie MacDougall is joined by Emma Jenkins (librettist) and Toby Hession (composer) to discuss their brand new operetta, A Matter of Misconduct! As well as discussing the exciting challenges of producing a new operetta, Emma and Toby explore the first experiences of operetta and opera, and their working partnership so far.    A Matter of Misconduct!  When a scandal threatens to break about the front runner in a bloody leadership campaign, a lawyer is needed to prevent information from reaching the press. Sylvia Lawless from the firm Lawless, Lawless, Lawless and Crook must find the loopholes in this modern take on unsavoury behaviour.  This episode was produced in partnership with City of Glasgow College [https://www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk/], and supported by broadcast students, Grace, and Ophelie.

Episode seven - Introducing Scottish Opera's 2025/26 Season

This podcast features audio from an exclusive live broadcast originally shared with our patrons and donors and produced by Broadcast students at City of Glasgow College. Join acclaimed broadcaster Nicola Meighan (BBC Radio Scotland's Friday Afternoons and podcast, A Kick Up The Arts) in conversation with General Director Alexander Reedijk OBE FRC and Music Director Stuart Stratford as they unveil Scottish Opera's exciting 2025/26 Season. What's Coming This Season Our upcoming season promises a season to fall in love with opera with, from the contemporary drama of The Great Wave to beloved classics like La bohème and The Marriage of Figaro. We're also presenting the double bill of The Bear and L'heure espagnole, Wagner's epic Tristan und Isolde, and a special celebration of Tchaikovsky's Heroines & Heroes featuring selections from Eugene Onegin, Iolanta, and The Maid of Orleans. Plus, don't miss our popular Opera Highlights and innovative Pop-up Opera performances. This season holds special significance as we celebrate 10 years of Stuart Stratford's inspiring leadership as Music Director. Produced by Broadcast students at City of Glasgow College.