New season of music, drama and dance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Glasgow’s annual guitar festival. A unique take on a Dickens classic. Shostakovich’s mighty Fifth Symphony. A modern Scottish classic from David Greig and a special blend of music and ballet.
They’re just a few of the highlights in a new season of performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Add symphony and jazz orchestras to the mix, thought-provoking plays, joyful musical theatre and a long-running and much-loved lunchtime concert series with guests including celebrated RCS alumni, and the stage is well and truly set for an unmissable autumn/winter programme that promises something for everyone.
And it’s also a chance for audiences to see and support the next generation of artists as they hone their craft at the nation’s conservatoire, a world leader in performing arts education.
Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, said: “We’re looking forward to sharing another powerful programme of performance at RCS.
“Whether new or returning, our audiences play an invaluable role in supporting the development of our emerging artists and creatives during their training.”
Highlights include
| Music|
Fridays at One
From 27 September
The ever-popular, bite-sized lunchtime concert series returns with guests including:
- Beth Taylor, 11 October: hailed by The Guardian for her “dark and focused” voice, “sensational coloratura” and “spectacular singing”, RCS alumna Beth Taylor is one of today’s most electrifying young mezzo-sopranos.
- Calum McIlroy, 18 October: guitarist, mandolin player and singer – and RCS Traditional Music alumnus – performs with percussionist Signy Jakobsdottir and pianist Rory Matheson.
- Carolyn Sampson, 25 October: soprano Carolyn and pianist Joseph Middleton present Star Falling.
- Big Guitar Weekend: Paul O’Dette, 1 November: One of the most influential figures in his field, with more than 100 recordings to his name and multiple Grammy nominations.
- Scottish Chamber Orchestra Winds and RCS side-by-side, 22 November: A varied programme of music for wind ensemble that will showcase the partnership between SCO and RCS.
RCS Symphony Orchestra
Friday 25 October
Hear some of the most celebrated works from the classical music repertoire under the baton of conductor and RCS graduate Kerem Hasan. The programme includes Shostakovich’s Festive Overture and Symphony No. 5.
Big Guitar Weekend
Thursday 31 October to 3 November
From classical to contemporary, the annual celebration of the guitar returns with guests including the influential American lutenist Paul O’Dette, Tomasz Zawierucha, Graham Devine, Matthew Cochran and Matthew McAllister, Allan Neave and the BGW Guitar Orchestra.
Philip Glass Glassworks with BA Modern Ballet
Friday 15 November
In 2021, when RCS closed to public audiences due to pandemic lockdowns, a planned performance of Glassworks, from the School of Music and BA Modern Ballet, was put on hold. We’re thrilled to stage this special collaboration with a new cohort of musicians, dancers and choreographers.
RCS Jazz Orchestra: JACO directed by Mario Caribé
Wednesday 20 November
Mario Caribé leads the RCS Jazz Orchestra in a concert celebrating one of Jazz’s most iconic figures, the legendary electric bass player Jaco Pastorius.
| Drama|
After Life
Tuesday 5 to Friday 8 November
Jack Thorne’s play explores the mysteries of the afterlife. Join the newly departed as they face judgement and determine which memory they’ll carry into eternity. Performed by final-year BA Acting students and adapted from Hirokazu Kore-eda’s award-winning film.
The Cosmonaut’s Last Message…
Tuesday 5 to Friday 8 November
As a cosmonaut drifts in the silence of space, his message echoes through the lives of those left on Earth, offering a powerful exploration of human connection and the search for meaning in this David Greig play that’s both intimate and epic. Performed by final-year BA Acting students.
A Christmas Carol
Friday 29 to Saturday 30 November (previews)
Tuesday 3 to Friday 6 Dec
Charles Dickens’s beloved tale is brought to life in a uniquely visual retelling accessible to both deaf and hearing audiences by final-year BA Performance students. An unforgettable journey through Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformative night, filled with wonder, joy, terror, and the true spirit of Christmas.
| Musical Theatre |
She Loves Me
Tuesday 3 December (preview)
Wednesday 4 to Friday 6 December
When Amalia meets George, sparks fly – in the opposite direction! He thinks she’s stuck up and she thinks he’s arrogant. Their constant bickering contrasts with the sensitive letters each writes to their anonymous ‘lonely hearts’ pen pal. But would things be different if they ever discovered they’re writing to one another…?
| Opera |
Masterclasses
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Beth Taylor: Friday 11 October
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Carolyn Sampson: Friday 25 October
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Lucy Schaufer: Friday 15 November
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This season also sees the launches of smART Pass, the new way to save up to 20% when buying tickets for RCS performances, and the RCS Friends and Patrons scheme, which supports the next generation of artists.