A specially-commissioned translation of a world-renowned opera is coming to Renfrewshire this autumn.

Members of Paisley Opera will be staging an adaptation of Giuseppe Verdi's Macbeth in October.

There will only be two performances on Friday, October 6 and Saturday, October 7, at Paisley's newly-refurbished Town Hall.

The production brings Verdi's great drama to the heart of the community, setting it in Paisley and including its landmarks, culture and language. 

The chorus will be nearly 60 voices strong for this show, from amateur to seasoned singers ranging in age from those in their 20s to the over 60s, plus professional chorus leaders. 

The Gazette:

Laced with local dialect and references, the specially-commissioned translation by Lindsay Bramley is being directed by Paisley Opera's founder Simon Hannigan.

He told The Gazette: "This will be our biggest, most spectacular show yet and we are so excited to be joined by the Orchestra of Scottish Opera and Right2Dance in the wonderful newly refurbished Paisley Town Hall.

"We will be giving Verdi's dark telling of the Macbeth story a Paisley twist through Lindsay Bramley's gripping translation. 

"We want to create an immersive performance that captivates people of all kinds and prove that opera is something powerful and there for all. 

"Overall, this production of Macbeth is a testament to the power of collaboration and the vibrant artistic community of Paisley."

The Gazette:

Conducted by Alistair Digges, the cast includes baritone David Stephenson (Macbeth), soprano Philippa Boyle (Lady Macbeth), bass Orlando Mason (Big Man) and tenor Thomas Kinch (MacDuff).

Katy McGlynn, designer of the production, said: "I am delighted to be back working on this show. Paisley Opera has a knack for creating fresh, witty and relatable interpretations of the classics and this retelling of Macbeth does just that. 

"Our setting is 1970s Paisley where Macbeth is a high-ranking gang member. Spurred on by his ambitious wife and the prophesies of some interesting local women, Macbeth descends down a treacherous and bloody path."

The new production of Macbeth is supported by Renfrewshire Council’s Culture, Heritage and Events Fund (CHEF). The Culture, Heritage and Events Fund is administered by OneRen on behalf of Renfrewshire Council.

To book tickets, visit bit.ly/45MSwWv.