The Scottish Opera Podcast
Welcome to The Scottish Opera Podcast
Step into the exciting world of opera with Scottish Opera's debut podcast series! Join host Jamie MacDougall, tenor and former BBC Radio Scotland presenter, as each new guest brings their unique perspective about what goes on behind the scenes at a national opera company. You’ll hear from directors and designers who dramatise these stories, conductors who interpret music new and old, and singers from international stars to our dedicated Community Chorus members.
Expect deep dives on beloved classics, previews of world premieres, and explorations of opera as a tool for education and wellbeing. With each new episode, we celebrate the talent, dedication, humanity, and creativity that makes opera special and offer new angles on this vibrant art form.
Whether you're an opera aficionado or just dipping your toe into this world, The Scottish Opera Podcast is your window into the craft, challenges, and diversity of opera today.
This podcast is produced in partnership with City of Glasgow College and supported by students on Broadcasting courses at the college, with thanks to James Wilson, Curriculum Head of Broadcasting.
The Scottish Opera Podcast
Episode five - The Makropulos Affair with director Olivia Fuchs
Director Olivia Fuchs joins Jamie MacDougall in the studio to discuss her production of Leoš Janáček's opera, The Makropulos Affair.
This co-production with Welsh National Opera is Scottish Opera's first full staging of the opera since 1993. Hailed as ‘unmissable triumph’ (The Telegraph), this production focuses on the immortal Emilia Marty, or Elina Makropulos, a woman who has managed to live for over 300 years thanks to an Elixir created by her father. Captivating everyone she meet, it seems Emilia has the world in the palm of her hand. But, as the potion begins to fade, her past comes to haunt her as she searches for the formula. Suddenly, she is confronted with her past lives, and lovers as her existence raises questions of science versus nature and life versus death.
Jamie and Olivia discuss Olivia's journey into directing opera and how Olivia has been working with the cast as the production team takes this opera from the rehearsal room to the stage.
This episode was produced in partnership with City of Glasgow College and supported by broadcast students, Ophélie and Grace.