Today : world premiere of Lliam Paterson's 'The 8th Door' in Glasgow

Today, the Scottish Opera presents the world premiere of Lliam Paterson's The 8th Door, conceived as a prequel to Bela Bartok's Bluebeard's Castle.

(c)Mihaela Bodlovic

It is the composer's first opera.

Inspired by Bartók’s great masterpiece, The 8th Door probes those things left unsaid – the spaces and silences in Bluebeard’s Castle. Performed by a cast of actors from around the globe, it holds up a mirror to the world of Bluebeard, weaving together the poetry of his Hungarian contemporaries and Paterson’s clear and vibrant music. Six singers join the orchestra in the pit, delivering a wealth of textures and sounds to a strikingly beautiful visual story of love and confusion. (reproduced from the Scottish Opera website)

The cast includes mezzo Katie Grosset, baritone Martin Häßler, counter-tenor Daniel Keating-Roberts, soprano Hazel McBain, tenor William Morgan and soprano Emily Vine. Sian Edwards conducts the Scottish Opera Chorus and Orchestra. Matthew Lenton directs.

Both works are sung in Hungarian. The complete performance should last about 2 hours.