The Scottish Opera Podcast
Welcome to The Scottish Opera Podcast
Step into the exciting world of opera with Scottish Opera's debut podcast series! Join host Jamie MacDougall, tenor and former BBC Radio Scotland presenter, as each new guest brings their unique perspective about what goes on behind the scenes at a national opera company. You’ll hear from directors and designers who dramatise these stories, conductors who interpret music new and old, and singers from international stars to our dedicated Community Chorus members.
Expect deep dives on beloved classics, previews of world premieres, and explorations of opera as a tool for education and wellbeing. With each new episode, we celebrate the talent, dedication, humanity, and creativity that makes opera special and offer new angles on this vibrant art form.
Whether you're an opera aficionado or just dipping your toe into this world, The Scottish Opera Podcast is your window into the craft, challenges, and diversity of opera today.
This podcast is produced in partnership with City of Glasgow College and supported by students on Broadcasting courses at the college, with thanks to James Wilson, Curriculum Head of Broadcasting.
Episodes
11 episodes
Season 2026/2027
This podcast was produced by Podcast students Owen Stark and Gregor Farquharson at City of Glasgow College as part of our ongoing partnership with the college. Presenter and tenor Jamie MacDougall is joined by Scottish Opera’s Gener...
Series 2. Episode 2. Celebrating Sir Alexander Gibson.
2026 marks 100 years since the birth of Sir Alexander Gibson, a defining figure in Scottish classical music. From his early days at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to founding Scottish Opera and leading the Scottish National Orchestra, his ...
Series 2. Episode 1. Emerging Artist Edward Jowle reflects on a year with Scottish Opera.
Presenter Jamie MacDougall catches up backstage at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre with Emerging Artist Edward Jowle. This episode was recorded just as Scottish Opera’s November run of Puccini’s La bohème was about to begin, with Edward p...
Episode eight - Writing a new operetta with Emma Jenkins and Toby Hession
Presenter Jamie MacDougall is joined by Emma Jenkins (librettist) and Toby Hession (composer) to discuss their brand new operetta, A Matter of Misconduct! As well as discussing the exciting challenges of producing a new operetta, Emma and Toby ...
Episode seven - Introducing Scottish Opera's 2025/26 Season
This podcast features audio from an exclusive live broadcast originally shared with our patrons and donors and produced by Broadcast students at City of Glasgow College.Join acclaimed broadcaster Nicola Meighan (BBC Radio Scotland's ...
Episode six- Josefine with director Antonia Bain and composer Samuel Bordoli
Filmmaker Antonia Bain and composer Samuel Bordoli discuss the creative partnership behind "Josefine," Scottish Opera's groundbreaking animated opera short. Drawing inspiration from Kafka's final story 'Josefine The Singer', the pai...
Episode five - The Makropulos Affair with director Olivia Fuchs
Director Olivia Fuchs joins Jamie MacDougall in the studio to discuss her production of Leoš Janáček's opera, The Makropulos Affair. This co-production with Welsh National Opera is Scottish Opera's first full staging of the opera si...
Episode four - Opera Highlights with Rebecca Meltzer and Ross Cumming
Produced by Kayleigh and Grace from the City of Glasgow College. Presenter Jamie MacDougall chats to director Rebecca Meltzer and Baritone Emerging Artist, Ross Cumming, and about the Opera Highlights tour. This season’s...
Episode three- Special Delivery with Karen MacIver
This episode was produced in partnership with City of Glasgow College, and supported by broadcast students, Kayleigh, Grace, and Ophelia.Join our presenter Jamie MacDougall as he chats to Karen MacIver, composer for Special Delivery. En...
Episode two - The Small Magician with Lea Shaw
Our presenter Jamie MacDougall sat down to discuss The Small Magician with Lea Shaw, Scottish Opera's Education Artist in Residence. Supported by Scottish Opera, The Small Magician is a new, trauma-aware, inclusive, accessible ...