Join Scottish Opera at Portobello Town Hall to experience opera on a miniature scale, with a double-bill evening of specially created 30-minute performances brought to life by two singers, two instrumentalists, and a set of specially commissioned illustrations. The perfect introduction to opera!

Pop-up Opera is once again touring Scotland with two new shows: A Little Bit of Rigoletto and A Little Bit of The Elixir of Love. Chosen to reflect the stark contrast between the light and dark sides of love, these stories will take audiences from the depths of tragedy in the shady underworld of the city, to the heights of romantic comedy in the sun-kissed Italian countryside. These 30-minute shows are the perfect introduction to opera. Enjoy a single performance or a double feature! 

About the shows

A Little Bit of Rigoletto | Verdi arr. Derek Clark |Spoken Narration Allan Dunn |Illustrator Agnes Xantippa Boman

Betrayal, bloodthirsty revenge, and an inescapable curse — all the ingredients for classic operatic melodrama. Rigoletto, the Duke of Mantua’s jester, is caught between pleasing his playboy boss and protecting his daughter Gilda. But when the Duke’s men abduct Gilda, Rigoletto risks everything he holds dear for vengeance. 
Contains adult themes – for more detailed information, please contact us.

A Little Bit of The Elixir of Love | Donizetti arr. Derek Clark | Spoken Narration Allan Dunn |Illustrator Essi Kimpimäki

Mix together a naive farm worker, a beautiful landowner, a swaggering sergeant, and a mischievous master potion maker, throw in a few comic misunderstandings and a smidgeon of gossip,  top it all off with a few litres of rough red vino and you have the perfect recipe for a charming and funny comedy about unrequited love.
Suitable for all ages.

Kindly supported by Friends of Scottish Opera, The Aberbrothock Skea Trust and JTH Charitable Trust
Part of Scottish Opera’s 2026/27 Season
Order a 2026/27 Season brochure>>