With our inclusive approach of "Opera for All," we welcome singers of all abilities to be part of a memorable musical experience.
Aria Alba is a local opera group based in Edinburgh that has now been established for over ten years. We are a close-knit community of enthusiastic singers that welcomes members of all abilities. It’s our mission to prove that opera really is for everyone, and that it can be a lot of fun!
Each year, we rehearse and perform a full opera at Melrose Corn Exchange, and as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. We don’t hold auditions and you don’t have to be a pro at reading sheet music – we all learn together and adapt the pace to keep everyone on top. We also have an annual trip to the coastal village of Ardentinny where we sing opera everyday in preparation for our upcoming show and sometimes have a dip in the sea that's right at our doorstep! This trip is optional, but very rewarding and fun. So, whether you’d like to sing with the chorus or even try a role in our production, we’d love to hear from you.
Carmen is the perfect place to start if you have no experience of opera, since it’s one of the most famous operas ever written. Even if you have never listened to opera before, chances are you're already familiar with some of its unforgettable tunes, like Carmen’s flirtatious Habanera, or the flamboyant Toreador Song.
Carmen tells the story of a soldier named Don José who falls in love with the charismatic Carmen. Their rollercoaster relationship leads to jealousy and violence, resulting in a tragic ending. Our production is directed by Jake Zualski and accompanied by Max McWhirter.
Although we need to charge a rehearsal fee to be able to keep doing what we love, we offer all new singers a free trial period when you first join. This way, you can get a taste of what it’s like before making any commitments.
Our rehearsals take place weekly on Monday evenings from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM in the Beith Hall at St. Ninian’s Church, Corstorphine. Our first rehearsal for Carmen will be on the 20th of November.
Key Dates:
20/11/23: First rehearsal for Carmen
01/07/24 - 07/07/24: Ardentinny residential
03/08/24 and 04/08/24: Melrose Corn Exchange performances
12/08/24 and 13/08/24: Dress and technical rehearsals for Fringe shows
15/08/24 - 18/08/24: Fringe run of Carmen
For more information and to express your interest, please contact us at ariaalba00@gmail.com.
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