Scottish Opera's overture to the Russians

Times on line has published an article on Anna Netrebko making her long-awaited return to the stage after the 6-month leave due to the born of her son Tiago. Anna is back to the stage singing the title role in a John Doyle's production of Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor at the Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg.

The production, which won glowing reviews when it was premiered almost two years ago, is the first by Scottish Opera to be presented on a Russian stage, and the news has given the company an enormous boost.

Alex Reedjik, its general director, said he was enormously proud that the company had been chosen as the means for Netrebko to make her return to the stage. “We are truly delighted” he said. “She is one of the world's leading sopranos, who has created many important roles around the world".

Mr Reedjik said that Scottish Opera was approached about the collaboration last October. Once it had agreed to the offer, the company had less than two months to restore the Lucia set before shipping it to St Petersburg in time for rehearsals this month.

Mr Reedjik is flying to St. Petersburg today to attend the premiere. He hopes to explore opportunities to develop further cultural partnerships. The Scottish government has awarded the company a small grant to capitalise on the link