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Alexander McCall Smith and Baboon ethics at play...
ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH’s first opera met with tumultuous applause and a standing ovation at it’s first UK performance on the 6th of May 2010. The Scottish author of The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency and the hugely popular Scotland Street and Corduroy Mansions books, wrote the opera with Edinburgh composer, Tom Cunningham, last year.
The performance of the Okavango Macbeth took place in the Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh as part of a fund-raising evening for Save the Children and their EVERY ONE campaign, to stop children dying needlessly before the age of five. The Okavango Macbeth had its worldwide premiere in Mr McCall Smith’s opera house — THE NO.1 LADIES’ OPERA HOUSE in Botswana at the end of last year.
Alexander was keen to write an opera set in Botswana and wanted to create opportunities for singers from the country. He created the Okavango Macbeth after reading Baboon Metaphysics and a chance meeting with its author, a primatologist in the Okavango Delta. He observed that Baboon society has strong female figures and it occurred to him that this was the perfect setting for the plot of the famous Shakespearean tragedy.
Alexander McCall Smith said:
“I am particularly pleased that the Okavango Macbeth is being put on in aid of Save the Children. This is an opera with an
African setting, and the work that Save the Children does in Africa is practical and immediate, especially in the area that
this will benefit - better child health”.
Tanya Steele, Save the Children’s Director of Fundraising said:
“Tonight’s event is set to be Save the Children’s Scottish fundraising highlight of the year. We’re so honoured to be the
setting for Alexander McCall Smith’s UK opera premiere. The money we raise from this event could help thousands of children
to make it past their fifth birthday.”
The opera is directed by Nicholas Ellenbogen, one of the world’s most distinguished theatre directors. Based in Cape Town, he has written, produced and directed numerous shows throughout the world, often through his own highly regarded theatre company, Theatre for Africa. He commented, “I have had the joy of seeing this thread of Macbeth brought to life in Botswana powered by African singers. Now I look forward to watching a new world open up with a Scottish-based cast.”
The cast included soloists from Glasgow’s Royal Academy of Music and Drama and a chorus from Edinburgh Studio Opera. Stuart Hope played piano
.No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is No. 6 in the Library
Just as important as the bestseller charts are the bestlender charts – which authors have been borrowed the most from public libraries. From July 2008 to June 2009, the top ten most borrowed adult authors make for very interesting reading, with nary a sign of Dan Brown an a fascinating mix of thrilling, chilling crime and chick lit. But doing his own thing, as ever, at number six is our very own Alexander McCall Smith.
Top Ten Most Borrowed Authors, July 2008 - June 2009, Public Lending Right
- 1. James Patterson
- 2. Nora Roberts
- 3. Danielle Steele
- 4. Josephine Cox
- 5. Ian Rankin
- 6. Alexander McCall Smith
- 7. Anna Jacobs
- 8. Clive Cussler
- 9. Jodi Picoult
- 10. Agatha Christie
McCall Smith serial Wins AOP Award
Innovation brings author of The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency new success around the world.
Read more here...The No.1 Ladies' Opera House
'People might think it an impossible, ridiculous dream. But why not? ...' - Alexander McCall Smith
Read more here...NMA Award
Corduroy Mansions scoops up a New Media Award with its state-of-the-art use of new technologies.
Read more here...