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Oedipus Rex

Oedipus Rex

NEW PRODUCTION

Experience Scottish Opera’s immersive staging of Igor Stravinsky’s opera in the unique setting of the National Museum of Scotland.

Scottish Opera presents a promenade performance of Igor Stravinsky's opera Oedipus Rex, joined by a 100-strong community chorus. The National Museum of Scotland's awe-inspiring Grand Gallery is a spectacular setting for a night of classical drama, exceptional vocal performances and moving orchestral music.

In the ancient city of Thebes, Oedipus has been crowned king, but the Oracle prophesises that misfortune is coming his way – can he defy his future and outrun his fate?

A cathartic exploration of identity, free will, and the human condition, the libretto for Oedipus Rex was written by the pioneering surrealist artist and poet Jean Cocteau. Inspired by Sophocles's ancient drama and imbued with the chorus structure of Greek theatre, this is a timeless piece made anew for audiences today.

The Warm Up: Oedipus Rex

Festival Director Nicola Benedetti and Director Roxana Haines give us a deeper insight into Igor Stravinsky's opera Oedipus Rex. They discuss staging the work in the unique immersive setting of the National Museum of Scotland, and Roxana reveals how its central themes of rituals and surrealism informed the direction and concept of this production.

The Warm Up: Oedipus Rex

Buy standard price tickets for three or more operas and get 20% off. Excludes concessions and top-price tickets, more details over on Booking Info.

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    Programme

    Oedipus Rex Libretto (the text featured in the performance)
    Director's note: A guide from Roxana Haines
    A keepsake freesheet is available at the venue for this performance.


    Scottish Opera

    Stuart Stratford Conductor
    Roxana Haines Director
    Anna Orton Designer
    Alex McCabe Choreographer

    Co-presented by Edinburgh International Festival & Scottish Opera.

    Full Programme Listing

    Shengzhi Ren Oedipus, King of Thebes
    Kitty Whately Jocasta
    Roland Wood Creon
    Emyr Wyn Jones Messenger
    Callum Thorpe Tiresias
    Seumas Begg Shepherd

    The Gods

    Samuel Alberti
    Ines Alberty
    Fiona Allen
    Sara Baumert
    Eileen Henry
    Joe Kelly
    Charlie Walton
    Rachael Wood



    Read the director’s note, synopsis, a translation of the libretto, more about the characters and full performance credits here


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