The award-winning Scots Opera Project returns to Pitlochry Festival Theatre this summer with a captivating double bill of The Seal-Woman and Actéon, performed in the stunning surroundings of the Explorers Garden amphitheatre.
Running from 28 August to 14 September, The Seal-Woman is a Celtic folk opera inspired by the mythical Selkie legend and the haunting songs of the Scottish Hebrides.
Audiences will be transported to an uninhabited islet in the Western Isles, where the tale of a Seal-Woman and her sister unfolds through evocative music and storytelling.
First performed in 1924, The Seal-Woman features beloved Scottish melodies such as An Eriskay Love Lilt, The Seal Woman’s Sea Joy, and Sea Sounds, making it an ideal introduction to opera for newcomers and a treat for seasoned fans.
From 30 August to 13 September, audiences can also experience Actéon, Charpentier’s Baroque chamber opera, reimagined in the Scots language.
This promenade garden production invites audiences to follow the mythic story of Actéon—the hunter who becomes the hunted—through the lush natural beauty of the Explorers Garden.
With a unique soundscape of clarsach and violin, this immersive performance breathes new life into the classic opera.
David Douglas of Scots Opera Project said, “We are absolutely delighted to be returning to Pitlochry Festival Theatre this year with not one, but two very special productions. The Seal-Woman, recently nominated in the Rediscovered Work category at the 2025 International Opera Awards, is a gem of an opera that deserves to be heard far and wide—and there’s no better place to share it than the beautiful outdoor amphitheatre at Pitlochry. We’re also thrilled to present Actéon in a new Scots language translation, as a promenade garden opera that invites audiences into a rich, sensory experience of nature and music. These works speak to our cultural heritage and offer something truly distinctive to audiences—we can’t wait to share them.”
The cast includes mezzo-soprano Sioned Gwen Davies, tenor David Douglas, soprano Colleen Nicoll, mezzo-soprano Ulrike Wutscher, and baritone Colin Murray.
The Scots Opera Project is known for its bold reimaginings and commitment to presenting opera through the lens of Scottish culture and language.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
