Scottish Opera’s new Primary Schools Tour, Scotland, our Scotland!! is set to inspire school pupils across the country.

The energetic opera, which P5-P7 pupils all over the country will learn and perform in their own schools, has been awarded the London 2012 Inspire mark.

Set on the eve of the Scottish International Games, athletes are arriving from across the world to take part, and are sent on a tour of the country on a bendy bus, with the Stone of Destiny, to find out more about our “Land of purple heather, fine folk but minging weather…” But when they arrive at Loch Ness, disaster strikes, and the bus with the athletes and the Stone of Destiny on board starts to sink into the water. The athletes must pull together with their tour guides and use their knowledge, friendship and skill to save themselves and the Stone of Destiny and make sure the Games go ahead!

Around 8,500 pupils in Scottish primary schools are already rehearsing the songs for the show with their teachers. A team of arts education specialists and performers will then spend a day with pupils to prepare them for a performance of Scotland, our Scotland!! for their parents and other pupils. Performances will take place between January and June 2011. The list of Edinburgh performances is below.

The opera features a host of colourful costumes and props, and songs including Fit Like?, Looking Good and Heart of the Dream.

Scottish Opera’s education department has been working across Scotland for 39 years to give children an introduction to opera and to help them develop their creativity. Scotland, our Scotland! is designed to work as part of the Curriculum for Excellence, and help deliver core elements like literacy, citizenship and technologies.

The Inspire mark recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Scotland, our Scotland! was one of the first projects north of the border to be given the award. For more information on the London 2012 Inspire mark take a look at their website.

Edinburgh Performances

Tuesday 1 March – Craigroyston Primary School
Wednesday 2 March – Fettes College
Monday 14 March – Granton Primary School
Tuesday 15 March – Hermitage Park Primary School
Thursday 17 March – Leith Pirmary School
Monday 21 March – Sciennes Primary School
Tuesday 22 March – Echline Primary School
Monday 9 May – South Morningside Primary School
Monday 16 May – King’s Meadow Primary School, Haddington
Tuesday 17 May – Bonnyrigg Primary School
Wednesday 18 May – Liberton Primary School
Thursday 26 May – Corstorphine Primary School

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