Article: Opera Premiere: Ines de Castro; Edinburgh Festival Theatre

James MacMillan has dedicated his new opera, Ines de Castro, to the memory of Sir Alexander Gibson, who founded Scottish Opera in 1962 and whose conducting inspired the composer as a boy. Friday's world premiere showed off a company on splendid form: in particular, the orchestra under Richard Armstrong gave a remarkable account of the lurid, fiercely exigent score. There were particularly vivid passages for percussion (including a xylophone hit with a hammer) and bass clarinet. MacMillan also combines instruments for colouristic effects: cellos and double-basses accompany the king's debate with his evil counsellor, Pacheco, a scene reminiscent of Verdi's Don Carlos.

There's the rub. ...

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