Colstoun Opera was founded in 2013 by Heidi Innes and Robert Dick. The two artists both found they shared an ambition to perform and produce quality opera within the East Lothian community.
Their launch event, "Opera Favourites" was held on September 21st in Heidi's mother's memory raising £500 for Breast Cancer UK. Singers Heidi innes (Mezzo), Dominic Barberi (Baritone) and Fiona Wilkie (Soprano) were accompanied by The Rose Street Quartet, . Guests enjoyed champagne and delicious Canapes whilst being serenaded in the opulent rooms of Colstoun House. Opera at Colstoun aims to provide an evening of light-hearted and fun arias from popular operas, performed by some of the country's finest young Opera singers performing Masterpieces in the elegant dining room of Colstoun House.
A second concert, “Christmas at Colstoun” was held in December 2013 , welcoming back Dominic and Fiona who were joined by tenor Adam Magee.
"Magnificent Concert at Colstoun" Review by Edward Hocknell "A select group of East Lothian society was regaled last Thursday by a truly memorable concert of classical music. Four talented singers were ably supported by The Rose Street Quartet in an inspired medley of operatic highlights.
It is invidious to single out an individual, but your correspondent was not alone in being entranced by the faultless diction and porcelain beauty of Fiona Wilkie. Already famous for her command of the Scottish canon, she brought to Handel and Mozart the wistful longing of the Western Isles. Her throbbing vibrato in Purcell’s ‘Sound the Trumpet’ was especially memorable, all the more so as she was wearing someone else’s dress.
The male singers, Dominic Barberi and Adam Magee, tenor and bass, excelled in both delicacy and rumbustious comedy. Magee’s account of Lensky’s aria from Eugene Onegin was genuinely affecting, while Barberi exploited all Offenbach’s comic potential. Heidi Innes, the powerful mezzo, was distinguished by her vigour, and displayed excellent characterisation.
The supporting band was fearless in its attacking phrasing, lending an air of reckless jollity to a thoroughly enjoyable evening. We are fortunate indeed in East Lothian to have the opportunity to attend such excellent concerts in such intimate surroundings, and it is to be hoped that last Thursday’s success will embolden the ensemble to enthrall larger audiences."