Garry Fraser

Oct 16, 2024 | thecourier.co.uk | Garry Fraser |Rebecca Baird

Dementia is certainly not a laughing matter, but thanks to the imagination and inspiration of Dundee-born Ron Coleman, it is a singing matter. Ron – who now resides on the Isle of Lewis – conceived the idea of Dementia the Musical following his own diagnosis of vascular dementia six years ago. It all started because Ron wanted people “to see and hear a different narrative about dementia and to stop seeing dementia as a death sentence, showing that we can be productive after a diagnosis”.

Mar 15, 2024 | thecourier.co.uk | Garry Fraser |Rebecca Baird

For many Dundonians, the upcoming performance of Bizet’s opera Carmen at the Caird Hall will simply be a nice night out. But for the city’s displaced Ukrainian community, the opportunity to see their national opera company in their adopted home could mean so much more. Varvara Mishyna, the daughter of an actor, grew up steeped in the theatrical life of her home city Dnipro. But she was forced to leave Ukraine when the war broke out.

Mar 11, 2024 | thecourier.co.uk | Garry Fraser |Rebecca Baird

The older you get, the less inclined are your memory banks to retain anything. Most of us can vouch for that. But the habit of professionals performing entire pieces of music from memory is becoming increasingly commonplace and the Scottish Ensemble have joined in the fun in their current tour, aptly called Music In Motion. As the name suggests, they’re upping the ante and adding choreography to the mix.

Mar 1, 2024 | thecourier.co.uk | Garry Fraser |Rebecca Baird

Does John Williams merit the title of the king of movie music? This was a question asked and answered in the Caird Hall this week, as the Royal Scottish National Orchestra gave an immaculate performance of the composer’s best loved scores. Under the baton of Richard Kaufman, the concert left a huge audience in no doubt that all the hype is justified and that he is the No1 in his field. What Kaufman doesn’t know about the music of Williams could be written on the back of a stamp.

Feb 14, 2024 | thecourier.co.uk | Garry Fraser

Malcolm Davidson, a former headteacher and stalwart of Broughty Operatic, has died aged 85. Although many will remember Malcolm for his dedication to teaching in Dundee, he is perhaps better remembered for his many principal roles with Broughty Opera. It was through the company’s productions that he met his wife Moira and together they played a huge range of principal roles, starting with The Mikado in 1957. Their daughter Jill has continued the Davidson tradition as a leading light in the society.