Scottish Opera’s much-loved Opera Highlights tour is set to return this autumn, bringing a one-of-a-kind show to Johnstone Town Hall on Thursday, 20th November 2025, at 7pm.
The new production hits the road from 2nd October to 22nd November, visiting 17 communities across Scotland — transforming smaller venues into local opera houses and ensuring world-class performances are within reach for audiences everywhere.
This year’s story follows four very different characters as their relationships intertwine at an unforgettable office party, filled with humour, romance, and a few surprises along the way.
Performing in the show are Scottish Opera Emerging Artists Chloe Harris (mezzo-soprano) and Luvo Maranti (tenor), joined by Ceferina Penny (soprano) and James Geidt (baritone), both making their Company debuts. They will be accompanied on piano by Meghan Rhoades, the 2025/26 Emerging Artist Repetiteur.
The production is directed by Emma Doherty and designed by award-winning Kenneth MacLeod, featuring music from Pagliacci, Romeo and Juliette, Werther, Alcina, Die Fledermaus, and A Hand of Bridge. All pieces are sung in English or English translation, making the story accessible for audiences of all ages.
Speaking about the show, Director Emma Doherty said:
“I am delighted to be directing the next Opera Highlights tour, which showcases some beautiful music and deals with the themes of forbidden love and deception. Audiences can expect to see four colleagues with complicated love triangles who are gearing up for their office party!”
Alongside the performances, Scottish Opera will also run free interactive workshops called How to Stage an Opera, open to all ages, offering insight into storytelling, stagecraft, and the role of music in building atmosphere and emotion.
Tickets for Opera Highlights at Johnstone Town Hall are available now via the Scottish Opera website: www.scottishopera.org.uk.
