Carmina Burana

The evening begins with a short, atmospheric opening by Electra Perivolaris titled March (Ice melting, petals unfurling), which explores shifts in natural textures over ten minutes. You will then hear the Scottish premiere of Timotheus, Bacchus and Cecilia, a seventeen-minute work by the evening's conductor, Sir James MacMillan. Following the interval, the scale of the performance increases significantly for Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. This sixty-five-minute secular cantata is famous for its massive, rhythmic choral blocks and driving percussion. We suggest listening for the sharp contrast between the familiar, thunderous opening movement and the delicate, high-register solos for the tenor and soprano. The work moves through various moods, from rowdy drinking songs to tender evocations of spring, all underpinned by a persistent, elemental pulse that carries the energy through to the final, cyclical conclusion.

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra is the national symphony ensemble of Scotland, based in Glasgow but performing regularly at its Edinburgh home ground. For this performance, they are joined by the RSNO Chorus, led by Stephen Doughty, and the RSNO Youth Chorus, directed by Patrick Barrett. Sir James MacMillan conducts the combined forces. The vocal soloists include soprano Caroline Wettergreen, tenor Caspar Singh, and baritone Edward Nelson. The ensemble is known for its wide-ranging discography and large-scale choral collaborations. Paul Whittaker will also be on stage as a British Sign Language performer.

This performance takes place at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh and has a total duration of approximately 120 minutes, including an interval. Because of the rhythmic energy and high volume of the headline work, this is an excellent choice if you are a first-time concertgoer or someone who enjoys choral music on a grand scale. The inclusion of a BSL performer makes the event more accessible for d/Deaf audience members. There is no specific dress convention, though most attendees at this venue opt for smart-casual attire.