Scottish Opera seek pupils’ help for performances of FEVER!

Opera may not be the first thing that springs to mind when looking to engage the minds of primary school pupils, but that could all change when Scottish Opera visit Shetland next week.

The national arts company is bringing up its production, FEVER!, from Monday until Friday and is getting children involved from across the isles to help produce it.

Youngsters in 20 primary schools are already practising the songs for the production with help from their teachers and local opera singer Andy Ross.

A team of performers and arts education specialists are preparing to spend a day rehearsing and preparing the pupils for a choreographed performance in full costume.

FEVER! tells the story of a young boy who becomes ill with a mysterious disease. Doctors try to find a cure, but the hospital is besieged by press in search of a big story and eager to learn more of the ailment that troubles the boy.

Doctors manage to calm the situation while a cure is found. However as those behind the performance rather intriguingly say, that is where the story really begins.
Performances will be held at:

• Brae Primary on Monday (7th June);

• Bell’s Brae Primary on Tuesday (8th June);

• Sandwick Primary School on Wednesday (9th June);

• Baltasound Leisure Centre on Thursday (10th June);

• Tingwall Hall on (Friday) 11th June.

The primary school tours have been run by Scottish Opera for 39 years, and are designed to introduce children to opera and help them develop personal creativity.

FEVER! is being brought to Shetland with the support of the SIC’s schools service creative links team and through Scottish Arts Council youth music initiative funding.