Thousands of school pupils across the north and north east of Scotland will take part in a spectacular show next year.
The youngsters will be participating in Warriors! The Emperor’s Incredible Army as part of the Scottish Opera Primary Schools Tour.
Pupils in primary five, six and seven will rehearse and perform the opera, which recounts the tale of the terracotta warriors of Xian.
The musical event comes to Aberdeen’s International School on February 10, then continues at Middleton Primary, Seaton School and Airyhall School until February 14.
It next moves on to Moray, with performances at Cluny Primary in Buckie, Keith Primary, Mosstowie Primary in Elgin, Hopeman Primary and Rothes Primary from February 24 to 28.
It subsequently heads north to Newton Park Primary in Wick, Lochardil Primary and Bishop Eden’s Primary in Inverness and Aviemore Primary from March 16 to 19.
The tour continues across Aberdeenshire during the summer term at Drumoak Primary, Westhill Primary, Fyvie Primary, Turriff Primary and South Park Primary in Fraserburgh from April 20 to 24.
Warriors! tells the true story of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, who was determined to cheat death and rule over his country forever. Over many years, Qin Shi Huang assembled an army of 8,000 soldiers, horses and chariots to watch over him in the afterlife. The warriors were all armed to the teeth, but made entirely of clay.
Composed by Alan Penman with lyrics by Ross Stenhouse, pupils learn the opera’s words and songs in their own classrooms and are then helped by the Scottish Opera team to prepare for a performance in front of pupils, friends and family.
Warriors! was commissioned in 2015 in partnership with the five Scottish Confucius Institutes at Edinburgh, Strathclyde, Glasgow, Heriot-Watt and Aberdeen University.
Scottish Opera’s director of outreach and education, Jane Davidson said: “Our annual tour is one of the longest established programmes – every year, more than 9,000 children across Scotland take part in these performances.
“We are continuing our work with the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools and bringing back Warriors! The Emperor’s Incredible Army, which tells an important story from China’s history.
“Pupils get to exercise their creative muscles and experience the added confidence and excitement that comes from performing for an audience of peers, family and friends.”
Further information is available from www.scottishopera.org.uk/join-in/opera-for-schools/