Ken Walton

1 month ago | scotsman.com | Ken Walton

The SCO’s bold new season will see the orchestra and its principal conductor crossing stylistic borders with quixotic abandon, writes Ken WaltonMaxim Emelyanychev tells a funny story about his earliest orchestral experience. It wasn’t on the podium, which is - after six seasons as principal conductor of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra - where Scots audiences are used to witnessing his electrifying presence, but as a jobbing teenage keyboardist in a local Russian orchestra.

2 months ago | scotsman.com | Ken Walton

The acclaimed baritone is looking forward to rekindling his relationship with the SCO in Edinburgh and Glasgow later this month, writes Ken WaltonRoderick Williams is prone to panic dreams. “I had one last night,” the accomplished British baritone reveals, speaking from his hotel room in Philadelphia, where he is reaching the end of a recital/teaching tour of North American universities and conservatoires. “In this dream", he says, “I’m in an opera rehearsal.

2 months ago | scotsman.com | Ken Walton

The latest Scottish Opera Highlights Tour goes down a different staging track that’s quirky and not without fun, writes Ken WaltonScottish Opera Highlights 2025, Walker Hall, Troon ★★★The old adage “it’s worth a try” comes to mind in relation to the fundamental change to this latest Scottish Opera Highlights Tour compared to previous ones.

Jan 7, 2025 | scotsman.com | Ken Walton

Scottish Opera’s 24-date Opera Highlights tour is a huge logistical undertaking, writes Ken WaltonAsk the team behind Scottish Opera’s popular Opera Highlights tours what single factor guarantees the slick success of the company’s long-running whistle-stop road trips around Scotland, and the response is disarmingly curt. “Everything has to fit in the back of a tiny little van,” insists Scottish Opera’s tour manager Dawn Rawcliffe.

Jan 7, 2025 | scotsman.com | Ken Walton

Scottish Opera’s 24-date Opera Highlights tour is a huge logistical undertaking, writes Ken WaltonAsk the team behind Scottish Opera’s popular Opera Highlights tours what single factor guarantees the slick success of the company’s long-running whistle-stop road trips around Scotland, and the response is disarmingly curt. “Everything has to fit in the back of a tiny little van,” insists Scottish Opera’s tour manager Dawn Rawcliffe.