This is a past event
The Maiden Stone outdoor opera composed by Joe Stollery and words by Aberdeen poet Catriona Yule is based on the legend of the Maiden Stone and will be staged live at Bennachie on 5 and 6 September 2014.
Of the many haunting locations in Aberdeenshire, Bennachie is one of the most memorable sites in the region.
It's a windswept, wild place with an atmosphere all its own: one where you are transported back hundreds of years and where you can stand close to the ancient Maiden Stone that has stood there for centuries.
Joe Stollery, a third-year music student at the University of Aberdeen, is so passionate about Bennachie, that he has written an opera, based on the legend of the Maiden Stone. He joined forces with Huntly's Catriona Yule, who created a libretto in the Doric language.
For this bold project, the services of the distinguished Aberdeen-born soprano Jillian Bain Christie have been secured for the launch of the work The Maiden Stone in September, staged live at Bennachie on 5 and 6 September 2014.
The Maiden Stone, an outdoor opera
- 5 September 2014, 13:00
- 5 September 2014, 15:00
- 6 September 2014, 13:00
- 6 September 2014, 15:00
Legend has it that a stranger (the Devil) disguised as a man (Dirk) asks for the hand of a maiden (Marn) in marriage. The maiden challenges the stranger to build a path to the top of Bennachie before she finishes baking a batch of bannocks… but who will win?
Bannocks and boulders come alive and are played by local schoolchildren who have been working hard with Margaret Hearne on movement/dance and Pete Stollery, Joe’s father, on the music.
Aberdeen-born soprano Jillian Bain Christie will play Marn, and Colin Brockie from Ellon will play Dirk/the Devil and they will be accompanied by a string quartet, flute and percussion.
Please note that this performance involves walking to a number of locations around the discovery trail on the lower slopes of the Bennachie hill so there is wheelchair access.
The audience will stand to watch the various scenes but there will be some camping chairs available if required. Please dress appropriately for a path walk on Bennachie in September! Should the weather be so bad the performance needs to be cancelled then we will post a message on the sound website on the day – sound-scotland.co.uk.
Tickets available from Aberdeen Box Office Tel: 01224 641122 Ticket Price £5, under 26's free
- Speaker
- Singers - Jillian Bain and Christie Colin Brockie
- Venue
- Bennachie Centre AB51 5HX
- Contact
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The Bennachie Centre Telephone: 01467 681470